Apple just wrapped up WWDC 2025, and yes, everyone’s talking about Liquid Glass. It’s been applied across the system, changing how the interface feels, not just how it looks. But behind the glossy visuals, there’s a lot in this update that’s actually useful.
Developers got updates that go beyond the surface: smarter tools, cleaner workflows, and small fixes that add up fast. Here’s what’s worth paying attention to across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and the rest of the stack.
UI Innovations
Apple unveiled a UI redesign based on the "liquid glass" concept, which introduces fluid, dynamic visual effects for improved depth and clarity across all devices. This new aesthetic refreshes app interfaces, and tools like Icon Composer simplify creating visually consistent app icons with adjustable translucency, blur, tinting, and highlights.
Unified Versioning
Apple streamlined its OS naming convention, adopting unified year-based versioning. This means all operating systems, including iOS 26, macOS 26 (Tahoe), watchOS 26, iPadOS 26, and visionOS 26, now share consistent version numbers, making cross-platform development more intuitive and cohesive.
Developer Tools & Xcode
Xcode 26 integrates generative AI tools, including built-in support for ChatGPT, significantly enhancing coding, debugging, documentation, and testing workflows. This AI integration boosts productivity by automating routine tasks and allowing developers to focus on more complex programming challenges.
Swift and SwiftUI
Swift 6.2 prioritizes performance enhancements, simplified concurrency, and streamlined code management, notably allowing modules or individual files to default to execution on the main actor.
SwiftUI gained substantial updates, featuring new integrations for web APIs, robust support for interactive 3D charts, and advanced rich text editing tools. These enhancements enable developers to create richer, more interactive user experiences with minimal effort.
iOS 26
The latest version of iOS includes adaptive lock screens, which dynamically adjust notifications and visual content, and intelligent screenshot capabilities that prompt contextual actions. Messages received custom chat backgrounds, integrated group polls, and richer Apple Cash functionality. CarPlay enhancements include advanced widgets and streamlined call interfaces. Additionally, privacy-focused on-device Apple Intelligence models now power direct Foundation Model access for enhanced user interactions.
iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 adopts Mac-like multi-tasking with a comprehensive new windowing system, supporting draggable and tileable windows along with Exposé for improved task management. Productivity gains include background tasks for seamless multi-tasking, local audio and video capture, live translation, and an improved Files app featuring custom folders. Creative users benefit from new tools such as Reed pen support and customizable Genmoji appearances.
macOS 26 "Tahoe"
macOS 26 enhances productivity through increased customization capabilities, including personalized folders with symbols and emojis, intelligent shortcuts automation, improved Spotlight search, and Quick Keys for faster workflows. The redesigned Control Center offers enhanced customization, and Live Activities provide real-time updates directly accessible from the menu bar. Gaming improvements, powered by Metal 4, offer advanced graphics capabilities tailored for rich multimedia experiences.
watchOS 26
watchOS 26 introduces usability improvements like Smart Stack suggestions, wrist-flick gestures, and automatic volume adjustment. The Workout app redesign incorporates personalized media and configurable widgets, enhancing the fitness tracking experience. New interactive features include smart message actions, call screening and hold assistance, and live translation capabilities, greatly improving the functionality of the wearable device.
Final Thoughts
What stood out at this year’s WWDC wasn’t just what was added, but how it all fits together. Apple’s starting to smooth out the experience across platforms, clean up the tooling, and make life a little easier for the people building things every day. It’s the kind of shift that might not feel huge right now, but give it a few months.This version 26 wave is going to shape how apps get made.
We’re already deep into it. Our iOS team’s working with the latest updates, exploring what’s possible, and helping clients build apps that feel modern from the first tap. If you're planning your next move, we're here for that too.
And if you want the full technical rundown, Apple’s official recap is over here.
