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

The big story with iOS 26 and all the other operating system updates announced at WWDC this year is the new Liquid Glass appearance. Inspired by the physicality of VisionOS, app icons, settings, and other various user interface elements now have a translucent, glass-like design.

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

“Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering.

With the optical quality of glass and the fluidity that Apple hardware can achieve, the new software design reacts to how you tap, swipe (with some interfaces minimizing or expanding), and even hold your phone. The colors of Liquid Glass react to the various colors on your screen.

To accommodate the design change, popular app icons like Messages, Phone, and Camera have received visual updates. More generally, toolbars and tabs have been redesigned into rounded menus instead of the usual drop-down lists. This promotes a less intrusive and distracting experience when navigating the software.

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

Lastly, building on the foundation of iOS 18’s icon themes, Liquid Glass introduces a transparent icon finish.