Everything announced at Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote: Liquid Glass, MacOS Tahoe, and more

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, is a momentous occasion for Apple fans. The tech giant held its keynote speech on Monday at Apple Park, but the full conference runs through June 13. It also marks one year since the company entered the AI space with the announcement of Apple Intelligence.

Also: Your AirPods are getting 2 major upgrades for free thanks to iOS 26 – here’s what they are

As WWDC is a developer conference, the main focus of the keynote was software. Apple revealed it’s planning on making sweeping UI changes to all its operating systems, adding new features, new apps, and enhancing Apple Intelligence. 

How to watch WWDC 2025

By the time you read this, the keynote presentation will have concluded, but you can watch the VOD (video on demand) on YouTube to see demonstrations of the updates.

Also: Every iPhone model compatible with Apple’s iOS 26 (and which ones aren’t)

ZDNET attended WWDC in person, and we have brought you hands-on images, videos, and demo experiences on our website and social media platforms. Below is a roundup of the most important announcements from WWDC 2025 in no particular order. It includes the reveal of the Liquid Glass UI update, spatial photographs, and a personal Workout Buddy.

1. Liquid Glass

What was arguably the most impactful announcement was the reveal of Liquid Glass, a new “cross-platform design language” that introduces the company’s “biggest [UI] update since iOS 7.”

Inspired by VisionOS, Liquid Glass adds translucency to Apple’s operating system, allowing certain aspects of the UI to “behave” like glass. Colors are “informed by surrounding content.” For example, the menu buttons on a Safari web page can reflect the cascade of colors of a news article. It can change from red to white to black as you scroll down.

Also: What is Liquid Glass? Here’s everything we know about Apple’s major UI overhaul at WWDC

To better match Liquid Glass, navigation controls and toolbars have been redesigned to be transparent with rounder corners. Because these toolbars are translucent, users will be able to see the app below, albeit with a frosted look. What’s particularly interesting is that these UI elements are dynamic. They will adapt to what’s on screen.

The digital clock readout on an iPhone’s Lock Screen, for example, can either expand or shrink to complement what’s on screen. If a subject or subjects take up a large area, the clock will be small. 

Liquid Glass will be rolling out to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and the Visions Pro later this Fall.

2. iOS 26

With the next iOS update, Apple is changing its naming convention. Instead of using numeral order, the company will name its system after the upcoming year. So, it is now iOS 26 rather than iOS 19.

In addition to Liquid Glass, several first-party apps are receiving new features. The Phone app on iOS 26 has a new “unified layout” combining Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail into one big section. Apple Intelligence can be used to write up summaries for specific voicemails. Call Screening helps stop interruptions by asking people on the other line to provide a reason for their call. Users can then decide whether or not to pick up. One of my favorites is Hold Assist. If you’re ever put on hold, this feature keeps your place in line and will notify you whenever a live agent picks up.

Also: The best iOS 26 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhile

Continuing down the list, Messages can screen incoming texts from unknown senders, giving you more control over who gets to talk to you. Polls are being added to Group Chats to help settle debates like where to go on vacation. For Lock Screen wallpapers, iPhone owners can implement a 3D effect, transforming flat 2D photographs into a dynamic image that moves. 

3. MacOS Tahoe

Apple continues its long-standing tradition of naming macOS updates after notable California locations. This year, we have macOS Tahoe, named after the lake of the same name. Again, the Liquid Glass UI is here as the tech company strives to maintain a visual consistency. It is by far the system’s most notable change. Apple redesigned the dock, sidebars, and toolbars to have a translucent aesthetic that shows more content on screen while eliminating some UI clutter.

There is more to macOS Tahoe than just its facelift. The Phone app is coming to Mac computers, enabling a “more streamlined user experience between your iPhone and computer.” It’ll sync directly with your iPhone, providing access to recent calls and contacts. It even supports the new Phone app features like Hold Assist and Call Screening.

Also: The 5 biggest MacOS features announced at WWDC 2025

macOS Spotlight is receiving a revamp, too. Search results, including files, folders, apps, and more, will be ranked according to what is most relevant to the user. Extra filtering options have been added to help people locate PDFs or emails. It can even bring up “documents stored on third-party cloud drives.”

If you’re a big nerd like me, you’ll appreciate the new Games app. It introduces a Game Overlay where users can adjust settings, talk with friends, or invite them to play without having to leave the game. The app will also highlight major events or updates for favorite titles.

4. iPadOS 26

Liquid Glass will also be on iPadOS 26. However, the UI changes don’t stop there. The operating system has received a new windowing system, allowing users to resize web pages and apps to their heart’s content.

In the bottom right-hand corner of an app will be a grab handle. Pressing and holding said handle lets you fluidly resize windows and then move them to whatever location you want. For example, users can snap web pages to a specific side of the screen, organize them into a 2×3 grid, or have everything in a jumbled mess — it’s totally up to you. Resized apps keep their shape even if you shrink them. Features like Exposé spread all of the windows out for quick navigation.

Also: 4 best iPadOS 26 features revealed at WWDC – and which iPads will get them

Apple Intelligence saw its own set of improvements, too. Live Translations will work across text messages, FaceTime, and phone calls, providing real-time translations with both captions and audio output. This is not an exclusive feature of iPads. iPhones will also support the new Live Translation.

5. WatchOS 26

Last but certainly not least is WatchOS 26. Upon release, Apple Intelligence will gain a bigger role in Apple Watches. They will have a new feature called Workout Buddy that uses your actual fitness data history it has collected over time, and provides real-time insights while you work out. 

In the presentation demo, we saw Workout Buddy tell a woman her total running distance for the year and how fast she ran. At the end, your wearable will recap your workout stats. It’ll even congratulate you if you hit any achievements. 

Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgrade. Here are the best features in WatchOS 26

Notifications on the Apple Watch are becoming self-aware — well, sort of. A new feature is being added that’ll allow the device to be more cognizant of the sound level in the surrounding environment. It’ll adjust the volume level for alert notifications. So, if you’re in a quiet space, it’ll output a loud ding. Speaking of notifications, a new hand gesture is being added. A simple flick of the wrist will let you dismiss calls, alerts, as well as “silence pings.” 

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