Apple's WWDC keynote is over for an additional 12 months, nevertheless it left us with loads to select over.
Equivalent to? Properly, the headline reveal was a brand new Liquid Glass-inspired design theme that represents the largest visible change Apple's made to its software program for a decade.
That was removed from the one announcement from Apple Park, although. From iOS to visionOS to watchOS to tvOS, all of Apple's varied platforms obtained upgrades and new options. Some have been huge, some have been small, however in the event you use an Apple system they'll all be value realizing about.
You may try our full WWDC 2025 dwell weblog for the entire information, however for a fast rundown of the highlights, learn on.
1. Liquid Glass is the largest Apple design revamp in years
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By far the largest reveal at WWDC 2025 was the debut of Apple's new software program design, based mostly round a brand new digital materials referred to as 'Liquid Glass'.
The untitled design facilities on translucency and fluidity and brings with it extra rounded components, new app types and a brand new clear theme. What's extra, the visible type will probably be unified throughout all of Apple's software program platforms, with the whole lot from iOS, iPadOS and watchOS to macOS and tvOS getting the refresh.
It's a much-needed replace to Apple's design language and inarguably the largest the corporate has made to its software program platforms since iOS 7 arrived in 2013. We will't wait to get it put in.
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- Learn extra: Apple reveals main visible redesign for iOS 26, macOS 26, and extra at WWDC 2025
2. Apple's software program platforms lastly have constant names
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You may file this one below 'adjustments that don't actually matter however that we love anyway': Apple has lastly performed away with the naming anarchy that reigned throughout its software program platforms, renaming all of them in a constant method.
So, bid farewell to iOS 19, iPadOS 19, tvOS 19, watchOS 12 and macOS 16 – as a result of none of them will ever exist. As a substitute, meet iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe.
See, Apple – that wasn't so arduous, was it?
3. Design-aside, iOS 26 appears to be like like a minor replace
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Whereas the arrival of the Liquid Glass design language and the brand new title will be the headline adjustments coming to iOS 26, the subsequent model of Apple's cellular OS may also carry with it a number of different small tweaks.
These vary from Reside Translation within the Telephone and Messages apps to performance upgrades within the Digicam and Pockets apps. There’s a brand new devoted Gaming app, too, which unites third-party video games with these of Apple Arcade and brings options that allow you to compete with associates.
Apple Intelligence has additionally been higher baked into iOS, with iOS 26’s Maps app well remembering the routes customers often take and serving up delay data the place useful.
Visible Intelligence has additionally damaged out of the Digicam Management toggle and may now be used, in a similar way to Google Lens, to scan screenshots and extract data from them.
Briefly, iOS 26 appears to be like slicker and behaves smarter, and it’ll seemingly launch in all its glory on the iPhone 17. However in the event you’re courageous and wish to strive a beta model of the software program proper now, try our information on find out how to obtain the iOS 26 developer beta.
- Learn extra: iOS 26 is official – listed below are the 5 largest new options coming to your iPhone
4. But it surely's sport over for some older iPhones
With iOS 26 comes a complete new design and a collection of options, nevertheless it additionally means consigning older iPhones to the smartphone bone orchard. That’s as a result of iOS 26 will solely be obtainable on iPhone 11 fashions or newer.
Older iPhones will as an alternative be restricted to iOS 18, which isn’t precisely horrible; it’s a really succesful model of Apple’s cellular working system. Nevertheless, it does imply the likes of the iPhone X have entered their end-of-life section.
So, in the event you personal an older iPhone and have been contemplating getting a substitute battery for it, do be sure you can run iOS 26 or you might be prolonging the lifetime of a tool that gained’t be supported by Apple for for much longer.
- Learn extra: iOS 26 compatibility – does your iPhone assist it? Right here's the complete record of supported units
5. iPadOS lastly received some actual love
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After years of ready, we lastly have an iPadOS replace that feels not solely worthwhile however monumental.
iPadOS 26 is, as Craig Federighi mentioned, the "largest iPadOS launch ever". With true windowed multitasking, a greater Information app, and Preview coming to all present iPad fashions, plus improved Apple Intelligence for suitable iPads, Apple's pill platform is as soon as once more a drive to be reckoned with when it comes to {hardware} and software program.
- Learn extra: 'Our largest iPadOS launch ever' – iPadOS 26 has landed, listed below are the ten largest upgrades
6. macOS 26 is… Tahoe
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As anticipated, we additionally received a glimpse of the upcoming model of macOS, the working system for Macs and MacBooks.
Now renamed to macOS 26 Tahoe, its most enjoyable addition is arguably the growth of Apple’s glorious Continuity characteristic, which lets you seamlessly management your iPhone by way of your Mac.
With macOS 26 Tahoe, you’ll be capable of use the Telephone app in your Mac to make and obtain calls, in addition to entry earlier numbers, favourite contacts and far more.
It’ll imply you don’t have to tug your iPhone out of your pocket whereas working in your Mac, and it brings Apple’s imaginative and prescient of a unified ecosystem of merchandise ever nearer.
With huge adjustments additionally coming to the Highlight instrument, Reside Translation skills and higher Mac gaming skills, Tahoe appears to be like like an replace value ready for.
- Learn extra: macOS Tahoe 26 introduced at WWDC 2025 with a brand new look and new numbering scheme: these are one of the best options on your new Mac or MacBook
7. Apple Intelligence received some helpful upgrades
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Apple Intelligence may not have grabbed all of the headlines at WWDC 2025, however Apple nonetheless introduced some helpful AI upgrades coming to iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
As an example, Reside Translation hopes to take away language boundaries for good, permitting you to simply talk through FaceTime, telephone calls, and messages in numerous languages.
Apple additionally introduced screen-sharing performance for Visible Intelligence, so you’ll be able to ask questions associated to content material in your display, much like Google Lens. It’s a pleasant enchancment to among the best Apple Intelligence options presently obtainable.
For the primary time ever, the world's hottest smartwatch simply received AI performance within the type of Exercise Buddy, which can carry AI-powered motivation to your train by analyzing your exercise information.
Shortcuts can also be getting Apple Intelligence capabilities, which ought to utterly rework the expertise of one among Apple’s most beloved apps.
Lastly, there are many different small updates throughout iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, together with generative AI backgrounds in messages, integration with reminders, and permitting third-party builders to entry Apple Intelligence fashions.
All in all, WWDC may not go down because the occasion the place we lastly see Apple’s AI dream realized, however the firm has performed an honest job at bettering and including to the primary wave of Apple Intelligence that launched final 12 months.
- Learn extra: Each Apple Intelligence improve coming to your Apple units in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26
8. However Siri was nowhere to be seen
Poor outdated Siri. Apple's sensible(ish) assistant was barely talked about at WWDC, past an acknowledgement that its AI improve isn't right here and that "we sit up for sharing extra about it within the coming 12 months".
Within the coming 12 months?! Critically?! How lengthy can it take to carry one little bit of software program up to the mark with the remainder of Apple's AI developments? Longer than Apple initially thought, clearly.
Nonetheless, if we're disenchanted by that (non) improvement, then presumably Apple is much more upset, given the velocity with which the competitors at Google, OpenAI, Samsung and Microsoft is shifting.
9. watchOS 26 does get an AI improve, although
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Lastly, Apple Intelligence arrives in your wrist, in methods each small and large.
Exercise Buddy is the massive new flashy AI characteristic, nevertheless it's Hints, which makes use of context information to suggest actions relying in your location & actions, which is the actual intelligent characteristic.
Reside translation for messages, a brand new Wrist Flick gesture, smarter Good Stack and the watchOS Notes app spherical out the key adjustments for the newly named watchOS 26.
- Learn extra: watchOS 26: these are the 6 huge updates coming to your Apple Watch quickly – together with an AI Exercise Buddy and a Notes app
10. Apple CarPlay received some welcome polish
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Apple CarPlay Extremely should still solely be for Aston Martin homeowners, however good outdated commonplace CarPlay simply received some welcome upgrades because of iOS 26.
Naturally, there’s the brand new ‘Liquid Glass’ design language that’ll spruce up the outdated 2D icons, plus a helpful navigation bar to the left or proper of the display for shortly leaping into your favourite apps.
Maybe probably the most helpful improve is a brand new, small pop-up overlay for telephone calls that’ll get out of the way in which of your navigation. There’s additionally widgets (additionally seen on CarPlay Extremely) that’ll allow you to juggle information from a number of apps, whereas Name Screening will assist you determine whether or not or to not take a name.
All in all, the refreshed CarPlay ought to make it a lot simpler to maintain your eyes on the highway, which is at all times a win in our e book.
- Learn extra: Apple CarPlay simply received 4 huge free upgrades with iOS 26 – right here's what it’s essential to know
11. tvOS' Liquid Glass refresh is for greater than type alone
Apple’s tvOS 26 updates for its Apple TV bins are, unsurprisingly, led by the addition of a Liquid Glass design that mirrors the clear visible enhancements coming to its different units.
On this case, nevertheless, that’s type of an enormous deal – as a result of clear on-screen controls imply you’ll be able to proceed watching a present with the picture remaining unobstructed.
Different updates are extra minor, with the iPhone now capable of function microphone for the Apple Music Sing Karaoke characteristic on Apple TV, a capability to modify between customized show profiles upon wake, and a extra customized FaceTime expertise.
- Learn extra: The 5 new Apple TV 4K options coming in tvOS 26 it’s essential to learn about
12. visionOS' updates reminded us that the Imaginative and prescient Professional exists
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Apple hasn’t forgotten about its blended actuality headset simply but, with this new suite of software program updates for its visionOS platform.
For starters, Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional customers can sit up for spatial updates galore with visionOS 26: apps, webpages and content material are all set to change into extra immersive because of improved 3D objects and 3D picture assist.
Personas may also get a visible overhaul, with better-defined options and a usually much less ghostly aura, plus players will quickly be capable of use their PSVR 2 controllers with Apple’s headset. Oh, and also you’ll quickly be capable of embellish your own home with digital widgets.
It would take greater than that to steer folks to splash the money on a Imaginative and prescient Professional, however for current homeowners these upgrades will probably be welcome.
- Learn extra: Apple proclaims Imaginative and prescient Professional overhaul with visionOS 26 – listed below are the 6 largest updates headed to Apple’s VR headset
13. Apple Music received some neat new options
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Apple Music received a surprisingly massive variety of updates at WWDC 2025, with Lyrics Translation, Lyrics Pronunciation, AutoMix (for creating beat-perfect playlists and units) all arriving, plus Music Pins to place your most-loved artists and albums proper to the highest of your Music dwelling display.
However probably crucial replace is that Apple's Liquid Glass design language – which can seem on Apple Music as with the entire remainder of Apple's software program – will degree up what you see in your system whereas a music is taking part in.
That's as a result of it'll present extra glass-like depth – and components inside a observe's art work will transfer with a extra three-dimensional high quality, out and in of focus, because it have been.
Plus, with tvOS 26, karaoke periods can attain new ranges of enjoyable through Apple Music’s free perk, Apple Music Sing. How? Customers will be capable of rework their iPhone right into a handheld mic for Apple TV and have their voice amplified as they belt out their perfect go at TayTay's Eyes Open.
Mixed with Lyrics Translation (for good lyrics even in the event you’re not fluent in a music’s language), it feels like music to our ears…
- Learn extra: Apple Music received 3 large new upgrades at WWDC 2025
14. AirPods weren't fairly forgotten
AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods 4 fashions are getting two key upgrades when iOS 26 comes: studio-quality mic recordings, and digital camera management.
Small they might be, however each appear helpful.The upgraded voice recording high quality guarantees “Voice Isolation” to higher choose your voice out out of your environment, utilizing superior audio processing, and guarantees to work in calls, video and recordings.
Digicam management, in the meantime, means you’ll be able to press and maintain your AirPods’ stem to take a photograph or begin a recording, doing the identical once more to cease it.
These aren’t the addition of hi-res audio or different issues we hoped for from AirPods, and so they’re solely coming to AirPods Professional 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods 4 (not AirPods Max or any older AirPods), however they’re good to have.
- Learn extra: AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods 4 will get two helpful free upgrades in iOS 26
15. Craig Federighi will not be afraid to ship himself up
WWDC often begins with a mini-movie that's greatest described as 'vaguely comedic', however this 12 months's was arguably one of many least cringeworthy.
The movie featured Craig Federighi, Apple's SVP Software program Engineering, tearing round a race observe as a promo for the Brad Pitt-starring F1: The Film, which can hit theaters later this month.
F1 appears to be like fairly thrilling in its personal proper, however the actual star within the WWDC promo was Federighi – or somewhat his hair.
Sure, the person who types himself as Hair Power One ensured his rigorously coiffured locks received prime billing right here, eradicating his helmet to disclose, properly, a scene that I can't think about Steve Jobs ever having authorised.
However actually, it was fairly good enjoyable, and a pleasant reminder that Apple at all times advantages from taking itself rather less significantly.
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