Apple users can now opt for a “Liquid Glass” makeover, at least on specific devices.
Unveiled at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, the “beautiful new” software design intended to “make apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, bringing greater focus to content while keeping iOS instantly familiar” is now live.
According to Apple, “a new translucent material called Liquid Glass reflects and refracts its surroundings [like glass] while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content.”
The new liquid glass design on the iOS 26 Home Screen and Lock Screen.
Liquid Glass, launched Sept. 15, is available across various software platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS with updates to “system experiences” such as the Lock Screen, Home Screen, desktop and Dock.
“This gorgeous new material extends from the smallest elements users interact with every day — like buttons, switches, sliders, text, and media controls — to larger elements, including tab bars and sidebars for navigating apps,” according to Apple. “It also shines in system experiences, such as the Lock Screen, Home Screen, notifications, Control Center, and more.”
Here’s what to know about Apple’s Liquid Glass, including how to try it out.
Apple’s iOS 26 update is here: See key features, compatible devices.
What is Apple’s Liquid Glass?
Liquid Glass is a “new software design” once described by Apple CEO Tim Cook as “Expressive. Delightful. But still instantly familiar.”
According to Apple, “the translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, bringing greater focus to content, and delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more.”
iOS 26 is a major update that brings a new design and AI experiences to apps.
From app icons to widgets, Apple’s Liquid Glass brings new customization options, including a “stunning clear look,” which is informed by surrounding content and intelligently adapts between light and dark environments.
“Born out of a close collaboration between the design and engineering teams, Liquid Glass uses real-time rendering and dynamically reacts to movement with specular highlights,” Apple said. “This creates a lively experience that makes using iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV even more delightful.”
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How to get Apple’s Liquid Glass
According to Apple, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 are available today as free software updates. Some of the features associated with Apple’s latest software update may not be available in all regions or in all languages.
For those who are able to download the new software update, follow these steps, courtesy of Tom’s Guide to enable the feature on your Apple device or Apple devices:
Download the software update
Access the homescreen customization menu
Select your preferred Liquid Glass style
Switch between Liquid Glass modes
Change back to regular icons anytime
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple’s Liquid Glass now available. Here’s how to get it.