Tips for implementing new design language in UIKit
Asked on 06/13/2025
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To implement the new design language in UIKit, you can follow these tips based on the sessions from WWDC:
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Recompile with the New SDK: Start by building your app with Xcode 26. Much of the new design will work in your app immediately after recompiling with the iOS 26 SDK. This will automatically update your app with the new design elements, such as Liquid Glass.
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Audit Your App: Go through your app screen by screen to identify which views stand out and may need adjustments. Pay special attention to custom controls and consider whether standard UIKit controls might be a better fit.
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Use Standard Containers: Utilize standard containers like
UISplitViewControllerandUITabBarControllerto support flexible layouts and automatically adopt the new design system. -
Adopt Liquid Glass: Liquid Glass is a new material that is central to the design update. It is translucent and dynamic, providing a new look and feel to your app. Consider how you can make your special use cases stand out with Liquid Glass.
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Update Custom Elements: For custom UI elements, adopt the Liquid Glass look and feel to ensure consistency with the new design language. This includes updating navigation bars, toolbars, and other controls to be transparent and contain Liquid Glass buttons.
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Refine UI and Styling: After recompiling, refine your UI and styling to match the new aesthetics. This may involve using new APIs to tailor the design to your app and updating custom views with the new design principles.
For a comprehensive guide, you can watch the session Build a UIKit app with the new design which covers these topics in detail.
Build a UIKit app with the new design
Update your UIKit 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.
What’s new in UIKit
Modernize your app with the latest APIs in UIKit, including enhanced menu bar support, automatic observation tracking, a new UI update method, and improvements to animations. We’ll also cover how you can include SwiftUI scenes in your UIKit app and explore SF Symbols, HDR color pickers, and more.
Platforms State of the Union
Discover the newest advancements on Apple platforms.