Can I make a window be made of glass?
Asked on 06/16/2025
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Yes, you can make a window be made of glass using Apple's new design system. The concept of "Liquid Glass" is introduced in several sessions at WWDC, which allows you to create a glass-like appearance for UI elements in your app.
For example, in the session Build an AppKit app with the new design, it is explained how the new design system transforms the appearance of a Mac window by altering the window shape and framing its key structural regions in glass. This includes using the Liquid Glass material to enhance the sense of hierarchy within the window, such as placing toolbar elements on a glass material to make them appear to float above the content.
Additionally, in the session Meet Liquid Glass, it is discussed how Liquid Glass can be used to create a unified design language across platforms, providing a distinct functional layer for controls and navigation that floats above the content.
These sessions provide guidance on how to implement glass effects in your app, ensuring that the glass elements maintain clarity and focus within the UI hierarchy.

Build an AppKit app with the new design
Update your AppKit app to take full advantage of the new design system. We’ll dive into key changes to tab views, split views, bars, presentations, search, and controls, and show you how to use Liquid Glass in your custom UI. To get the most out of this video, we recommend first watching “Get to know the new design system” for general design guidance.

Meet Liquid Glass
Liquid Glass unifies Apple platform design language while providing a more dynamic and expressive user experience. Get to know the design principles of Liquid Glass, explore its core optical and physical properties, and learn where to use it and why.

Tailor macOS windows with SwiftUI
Make your windows feel tailor-made for macOS. Fine-tune your app’s windows for focused purposes, ease of use, and to express functionality. Use SwiftUI to style window toolbars and backgrounds. Arrange your windows with precision, and make smart decisions about restoration and minimization.