During the opening keynote of WWDC 2025, Apple announced the release of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, showcasing a range of graphical and functional innovations for iPhone and iPad users.
One of the standout features is the new Liquid Glass design, inspired by visionOS. This modern and elegant interface aims to unify the visual appearance across all Apple platforms, including iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Liquid Glass is a translucent material that enhances the user experience by reflecting and refracting the surrounding environment, allowing for better content focus and responsive touch capabilities. This design update applies to the Home screen, Lock screen, app widgets and introduces a spatial view effect with 3D elements.
Core system apps have also received visual updates. The Camera app has been simplified with a more streamlined layout, enabling users to concentrate on photography and videography. The Photos app now features separate tabs for the Library and Collections. In the Safari app, web pages will transition from the top edge to fill the entire screen, providing enhanced visibility. Additionally, Apple Music and Podcasts have redesigned their tab bar to float above content, dynamically adjusting as users navigate through the apps.
These aesthetic enhancements will extend to third-party applications, as Apple is equipping developers with updated tools and Liquid Glass materials.
The Phone app has undergone a layout transformation, consolidating Favorites, Recent, and Voicemail into a single section. New features for managing calls are being introduced; however, some may not be available in Italy yet.
The Messages app has also been revamped, with a dedicated folder for messages from unknown senders and a counter for tracking them. Other improvements include custom backgrounds for conversations, polls, and visibility into typing indicators within group chats.
CarPlay: Enhanced Features with Widgets and Live Activities
CarPlay is introducing several notable features, including a new Liquid Glass design that enhances the in-car display experience. Users will benefit from improved management of incoming calls and message replies, which now include Tapback functionality.
Additionally, CarPlay will support widgets and live activities, enabling drivers to stay informed about various updates without losing focus on the road. For instance, users can track the status of a relative or friend’s flight in real time, making it easier to manage pick-ups at the airport.
Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet: Key Updates
In Apple Music, the addition of a Lyrics Translation feature will help users understand the lyrics of their favorite songs. The new AutoMix feature employs advanced algorithms to transition between tracks like a DJ, utilizing time stretching and beat matching techniques. Moreover, a pronunciation guide will assist users in singing lyrics correctly, particularly in languages they are less familiar with.
Apple Maps now allows users to securely remember locations they’ve visited, employing end-to-end encryption to ensure that this information remains private. By utilizing on-device intelligence, users can also receive insights into their daily routes, including traffic updates and alternative navigation suggestions.
The Wallet app will introduce live activity sharing, enabling users to update contacts on flight statuses in real time. Additionally, travelers will find new tools like airport maps to help navigate terminals, enhancing the travel experience.
Apple Games: A Central Hub for Gaming
The newly launched Apple Games serves as a comprehensive hub for gaming enthusiasts, where users can discover new titles, search for games, and enjoy gameplay with friends. This hub also incorporates Apple Arcade, providing a wide array of gaming options.
AirPods: Enhanced Functionality for Photography
Improvements are on the way for AirPods 4, AirPods 4 (ANC), and AirPods Pro 2. In addition to offering high-quality audio recording, these devices will allow users to take photos or start and stop video recordings on an iPhone or iPad by simply pressing and holding the stem of the AirPods.
Apple Intelligence: New Features and Enhanced Communication
Apple Intelligence is introducing features like real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls, facilitating communication across different languages through instant translation of text and audio directly on the device, ensuring user privacy.
Visual intelligence will also extend to the iPhone screen, allowing users to interact with and act upon content they are viewing across various apps. For example, users can ask questions related to what’s displayed on their screen or search for similar images and products on supported platforms. The system can even recognize events users are viewing and suggest adding them to their calendar, automatically filling in relevant details such as date, time, and location.
With the introduction of Genmoji and Image Playground, users will have even more ways to express themselves through a combination of emojis, Genmoji, and descriptive text.
Moreover, Apple is expanding access to Apple Intelligence for third-party applications, allowing developers to leverage powerful, privacy-focused intelligence capabilities that can operate offline.
New Features in iPadOS 26: Fine-Tuning and Multitasking
iPadOS 26 introduces an enhanced window management and multitasking experience that allows users to effortlessly resize windows and position them according to their preferences. The update enables management of multiple windows simultaneously, making multitasking more efficient.
Users can now organize their windows with simple gestures, allowing them to snap applications to designated areas on the screen. Importantly, apps will return to their previous size and position upon reopening. This new window system is designed to work seamlessly with Stage Manager and external displays, further enhancing the user experience.
A notable addition is the new menu bar, which allows users to access app features and commands by swiping down from the top of the screen or moving the mouse or trackpad cursor to the top edge. This change brings the iPad experience closer to that of macOS, making navigation more intuitive.
Furthermore, when initiating a long-running process within an app, such as exporting a project in Final Cut Pro, background tasks will now be visible through Live Activities. This feature provides users with better control and transparency regarding ongoing operations.
Improvements to the Files App in iPadOS 26
The Files app in iPadOS 26 has received significant upgrades, aligning its functionality more closely with macOS Finder. The updated List view offers greater detail about files and folders, while new features include the ability to assign custom colors, icons, and emojis to folders. Additionally, folders will now automatically sync across devices for a seamless experience. For easier access, users can drag any folder from the Files app directly to the Dock.
Introducing the Preview App on iPad
As anticipated, iPadOS 26 will also see the introduction of the Preview app. This new tool provides users with a convenient way to manage and view PDF files. Moreover, it enables quick sketching or note-taking by creating a blank page where users can draw or write using the Apple Pencil. This addition enhances the versatility of the iPad for both productivity and creativity.