Apple WWDC25: A Deep Dive into the New Design System and Platform Updates

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25) unveiled a significant overhaul of its design language and introduced updates across all its platforms. The conference, held in Cupertino, California, showcased a unified design system called Liquid Glass, along with updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, visionOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Developers are now able to explore the new design through group labs, one-on-one sessions, and video resources.

Liquid Glass: A New Design Aesthetic

The centerpiece of WWDC25 is the introduction of Liquid Glass, Apple’s most comprehensive design system overhaul in over a decade. Inspired by the visual aesthetic of visionOS, Liquid Glass brings a return to translucency across all Apple operating systems. This new design language aims to elevate content and create a consistent user experience across devices. Design resources and updated design libraries are now available to developers and designers to begin implementing the new aesthetic.

Unified Operating System Versioning

Apple is streamlining its operating system versioning, adopting a unified numbering system where most OS versions will complete in “26” (e.g., iOS 26, iPadOS 26). This change aims to simplify the development process and ensure consistency across the Apple ecosystem. The exception to this is macOS, which will be named Tahoe 26, continuing the tradition of naming macOS releases after Californian landmarks.

Developer Resources and Community Engagement

Apple is providing developers with a wealth of resources to help them adapt to the new design language and platform updates. These resources include:

• Group Labs: Online sessions with Apple engineers and fellow developers to discuss the announcements and address questions.
• One-on-One Labs: Appointments with Apple experts for personalized design guidance.
• Video Sessions: Over 100 videos covering the latest technologies and tools, including the WWDC 2025 Keynote and Platforms State of the Union.
• Documentation and Sample Code: Comprehensive documentation and code samples to aid in implementation.
• Apple Developer Forums: A platform for developers to connect, share ideas, and seek support.

The Apple Developer program encourages developers to complete their profiles to receive personalized updates and participate in community activities.

Apple Design Awards

WWDC25 similarly celebrated innovation in app and game design with the Apple Design Awards. The winners, recognized for their technical achievement and ingenuity, were honored at Apple Park.

Looking Ahead

Public betas of the new operating systems will be available in July, with the first developer beta for iOS 26 already available. Apple has indicated that further announcements are expected in the coming days. Developers are encouraged to explore the new resources and begin preparing their apps and games for the updated design system.