Apple reveals a complete redesign for iOS 26 at WWDC 2025
Yearly, iOS is without doubt one of the star sights of Apple‘s Worldwide Builders Convention keynote. It is our first official take a look at new options and different modifications which are coming to iPhones within the fall. The 2025 WWDC keynote was no exception, and essentially the most quick change is to the iOS naming system.
As was lately reported, Apple working methods will all be named after years to maintain all the pieces aligned. So as an alternative of iOS 19, we’re leaping as much as iOS 26. The identical goes for iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and so forth. The variations might be named for the yr after main annual OS updates (so iOS 26 for the model that arrives in fall 2025 and so forth), nevertheless it ought to nonetheless assist mitigate some confusion as to which is the present model.
There’s much more to this model of iOS than a change to the numbering system, so let’s dig proper in.
A significant redesign
Past the naming system, the largest change this yr is a significant visible overhaul throughout Apple’s working methods. These responsive, translucent person interfaces are impressed by the look of visionOS, the OS that powers Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional. It has been over a decade because the final main change to the look of the iPhone person interface. With iOS 7, which debuted in 2013, Apple jettisoned its skeuomorphic design language for a flatter, extra simplified look.
It was reported over the weekend that Apple’s new person interface design language could be constructed round an idea referred to as Liquid Glass, and that turned out to be lifeless on. There’s a bigger deal with components like mild and transparency right here.
App icons and buttons have new seems, whereas toolbars and tab bars could have a see-through look. Apple can be making use of pop-out menus that’ll supply fast entry to sure choices — that jogs my memory a little bit of the “peek and pop” 3D Contact capabilities Apple launched to the iPhone a decade in the past.
Widgets aren’t going wherever, although they’re getting a brand new look to match the remainder of the design updates. On the lock display, the clock font can change dimension dynamically, so it will possibly shrink as alerts are available.
CarPlay is among the many different person interfaces that is getting this visible redesign. It is going to function a extra compact view for incoming calls so the show would not obfuscate instructions. Tapbacks (i.e. emoji responses) and pinned conversations are coming to Messages in CarPlay, and widgets and Stay Actions might be mirrored on the infotainment system. These updates might be current in CarPlay Extremely too.
Core app updates
Apple is giving a number of core apps notable updates in iOS 26. Within the Cellphone app, it is pulling collectively your current calls and voicemails right into a single tab, together with your favourite contacts above these. You’ll see Apple Intelligence summaries of voicemail transcripts.
A name screening instrument can routinely reply calls from unknown numbers as effectively. You’ll see in your iPhone display who is looking and why, so you’ll be able to determine whether or not to reply. On the opposite facet of that, a Maintain Help function can let when a reside agent is out there, so would possibly by no means must take heed to interminable maintain music ever once more. (Android has had these options for ages, for what it is value.)
On FaceTime calls, you will see that Apple has moved the key controls to the underside proper of the display for simpler entry. Safari could have a extra clear deal with bar within the up to date OS, in addition to “superior fingerprinting safety” for all looking by default for further privateness.
As for the Digicam app, Apple is trying to simplify {that a} bit after including a number of options like slow-motion video and panoramic photographs during the last a number of years. You will change between nonetheless picture and video choices with a swipe. Tabs are blessedly coming again to the Pictures app too.
In Messages, you will have the flexibility to set a background picture and create polls (a lot as you’ll be able to in different messaging apps). The backgrounds would be the similar for everybody within the chat, as they’re within the likes of Messenger. It’s going to be doable to ship and obtain Apple Money funds in group chats, which can even be getting typing indicators.
On-device spam detection for Messages is within the pipeline. That is a really welcome replace, although if Apple handles all of that for me, I will kinda miss replying to scammers with a fastidiously crafted insult earlier than instantly blocking and reporting them. Anyway, you will have the choice to display messages from unknown senders and place them in a separate folder out of your common chats, although it ought to nonetheless be simple to seek out two-factor authentication codes.
As for Pockets, you’ll create a digital ID out of your passport. A refresh of boarding passes will present real-time updates on flights in Stay Actions, in addition to maps for airport navigation, a fast method to report lacking luggage and extra.
Maps will be capable of be taught most popular routes (for issues like making the college run earlier than going to work). It may present updates about these discovered routes, similar to what the site visitors is like. A Google Maps-like location historical past possibility might be out there as effectively. Apple says that is end-to-end encrypted and it will possibly’t see your knowledge.
There might be a brand new core app in iOS 26: Video games. From right here, you’ll view and obtain titles from Apple Arcade and have entry to your library, multiplayer choices (similar to achievements) and extra.
Apple has been making a bit extra of a push into video games over the previous couple of years between Apple Arcade and getting ports of main video games like Demise Stranding and a number of Resident Evil titles for its gadgets. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this works in motion and if there’ll really be curiosity from players. In spite of everything, did anybody ever really use Recreation Heart?
AI options
Apple Intelligence hasn’t precisely been an enormous success for the corporate to date, however there are AI-powered options that appear genuinely helpful coming to iOS 26. Apple is integrating translation instruments extra deeply into the working system, so chances are you’ll not have to change over to Translate (or, maybe extra doubtless, Google Translate) as usually.
Probably the most impactful facet of that might be reside translation for textual content and audio in telephone calls, FaceTime and Messages, powered by on-device fashions. That might be a large deal for a lot of iPhone customers.
Stay translation and pronunciation guides for lyrics in Apple Music is cool — I would lastly be capable of sing a good model of the Babymetal verse in “Ratatata.” With reference to Apple Music, an AutoMix function will use intelligence to maybe make for smoother, DJ-style transitions between songs by time stretching and beat matching. Transferring album artwork goes to be a factor within the app too.
Since WWDC is an occasion that is largely for builders, information that they’re going to be capable of faucet into on-device Basis Fashions for his or her apps might be a boon. Amongst different issues, they’re going to be capable of combine reside translation into their apps.
Apple is taking one other leaf out of the Google playbook with a visible intelligence replace. You’ll ask ChatGPT questions on what’s displayed in your display, and search extra info from supported apps similar to Google and Etsy. Visible intelligence will detect whenever you’re taking a look at an occasion and will counsel including it to your calendar.
The Shortcuts app is getting an replace together with choices powered by Apple Intelligence and devoted actions for the likes of Writing Instruments and Picture Playground. In the meantime, Apple Intelligence will be capable of decide up and summarize monitoring info from emails associated to your purchases, together with ones that you simply did not make with Apple Pay. Apple says it will allow you to see your order particulars and supply progress particulars multi function place. That is one thing the Store app from Shopify has been helpful for, and now Apple’s trying to deal with that itself.
There are minor AI updates elsewhere, similar to to Genmoji (you will have the choice to mix two present emoji). The upgraded Siri Apple has been speaking about for some time continues to be within the works, and we’ll hear extra about that later this yr.
Different updates
Apple is making some modifications to parental controls in iOS 26. The corporate says it’s going to be simpler so that you can create Little one Accounts and transfer your children into them. Different updates embrace having the ability to grant children exemptions to obtain apps with age scores which are exterior of the restrictions that oldsters set. Apple can even blur “delicate content material” in FaceTime calls and photographs in Shared Albums.
There are a number of new accessibility options too. Accessibility Reader is alleged to supply “a custom-made systemwide studying expertise,” whereas Braille Entry is a brand new interface for iPhone gadgets which have linked braille shows. In the meantime, Apple says it’ll ship a “new stage of accessibility” throughout its ecosystem with updates to Stay Hear, Background Sounds, Private Voice and different instruments.
You’ll set up iOS 26 in case you have an iPhone 11 or later (or a second-gen iPhone SE). Apple Intelligence options will run on iPhone 16 gadgets, Cellphone 15 Professional, iPhone 15 Professional Max and future fashions, in addition to suitable iPads and Macs.
Builders can check out the iOS 26 options beginning right now by the Apple Developer Program. Public betas of the brand new working methods might be out there in July. Apple will make iOS 26 and the opposite new working methods out there this fall, doubtless quickly after its annual iPhone occasion, which usually takes place in September.