At Monday’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduced a major visual overhaul for its operating systems, calling it “Liquid Glass.” This new design replaces the old look across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices with a smooth, see-through effect that shifts colors and brightness based on what’s on the screen.

The update will arrive in fall 2025 and is already available for developers to test. Apple’s senior vice president of human interface design, Alan Dye, called it “the biggest design change in our history,” comparing it to glass that “floats like a sheet” over menus, buttons, and icons. For example, the iPhone’s home screen dock, Safari toolbar, and camera menu now have this see-through, shimmering style.

The Liquid Glass effect uses real-time lighting and reflections to make buttons and menus look like they’re reacting to the user’s touch. On Macs, folders and widgets blend into the desktop like water, while iPhone apps will adjust their brightness depending on whether the screen is light or dark. Developers can add the same look to their apps using new tools Apple shared during the event.

Some early testers noticed that text in the first beta version appeared blurry, but Apple said fixes are coming. The company emphasized that the design aims to make devices feel lighter and more connected across platforms. Devices compatible with the update include iPhone 11 and newer, M1 Macs, and recent Apple Watches.

No extra cost is charged for the update. Apple plans to roll out the final versions this fall.