What design updates are coming to iOS 26?

iOS 26 introduces several design updates that enhance the look and feel of apps and system experiences. Here are some of the key updates:

1. Liquid Glass: A new adaptive material called Liquid Glass is at the heart of the design update. It takes inspiration from the optical properties of glass and the fluidity of liquid to create a dynamic material that elevates the underlying content. This material is used in controls and navigational elements, adapting from light to dark as you scroll through content. Controls like toggles, segmented pickers, and sliders transform into Liquid Glass during interaction, creating a delightful experience (Build a SwiftUI app with the new design).

2. Lock Screen and Home Screen: The Lock Screen has been updated with time and controls made of Liquid Glass, and the Home Screen features app icons crafted from Liquid Glass, providing a new sense of responsiveness and delight (Keynote).

3. Camera App: The Camera app has a new, more intuitive design, simplifying the interface to focus on the most-used capture modes, photo and video. Additional modes and settings are easily accessible with simple swipes and taps (Keynote).

4. UIKit and SwiftUI Updates: UIKit now integrates Swift observation at its core, and SwiftUI has been updated to support the new design system, providing a consistent experience across Apple platforms. This includes updates to navigation containers, toolbars, and more (What’s new in UIKit, What’s new in SwiftUI).

These updates aim to create a more cohesive and expressive user experience across all Apple platforms, with a focus on content and interaction.