WWDC 2025 took place yesterday with Apple announcing a comprehensive list of changes and innovations that will be introduced to their operating system this year. Too many were announced and I wrote this article to list the 26 most interesting new features for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, MacBook, iMac and Vision Pro users.
1. New Liquid Glass Interface
The new Liquid Glass interface was introduced by bringing back the original iOS skeumorphic UI era which was replaced by a flat design in 2013 through iOS 7. With a glass-like design, icons look 3D again by reflecting light. When interface elements cover the background, they will be completely obscured by the light refraction of real glass. Rumors say that this Liquid Glass design is taken from visionOS and will be the basis for the full-screen design of the 20th anniversary iPhone next year.
2. Uniform Naming Across All Operating Systems
The version naming of all operating systems iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and macOS has been standardized to the number 26 this year. For users, there is no confusion when the operating system is launched and whether they are using the latest operating system version from now on. iOS 18 skips directly to iOS 26 and visionOS 2 skips directly to visionOS 26. Skipping operating system versions is unconventional but the most logical choice Apple has ever made.
3. Uniform Interface Across All Devices
Not only are the names standardized, various cross-operating system interface elements have been passed. Customization of icons, colors, themes, backgrounds, and Control Center layouts are now also used in macOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. They can be personalized according to user preferences. I have long complained that macOS has a different Control Center than iOS. Starting this year, I will stop complaining.
4. Live Translation
Live Translation puts subtitles in phone conversations and FaceTime. With this, the ability to not share the same language is not a barrier for two people to talk. When typing text in Messages, what you type can be directly converted to a language that the recipient can understand and vice versa for you. Similar support is also provided in Apple Music with foreign language lyrics can be converted to a language that the user understands. With Live Translation, iOS 26 is finally on par with the feature supported by Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy since 2024
5. Phone Call Screening – iOS, watchOS and macOS
Phone calls can also be filtered from spam calls with Call Screening. Next, if you make a phone call and are instructed to wait, Hold Assist will notify the user when a customer service agent is ready to speak.
6. Spatial 3D Background Images – iOS
I often see ads for applications that can convert 2D images into 3D which can then be used on the iPhone screen. All of these applications are actually fake. In iOS 26, the feature of converting images into spatial 3D images is finally included in the Photos app. Just press any image and it will be converted into a spatial 3D image in just a few seconds. Photos taken using Portrait mode give the most realistic effect. These can then be used as iPhone lock screen images or viewed in spatial 3D mode using Vision Pro.
7. Visual Intelligence iPhone Screen Content – iOS
Visual Intelligence is Apple’s answer to Google Circle to Search. Previously, it was limited to the ability to recognize what was seen through the camera only. In iOS 26, it can identify what is displayed on the screen similar to Circle to Search. Product searches can be done with Google Images and Etsy integration. It can also identify the date, location and time of a specific event in a screenshot before suggesting it to be added to the calendar.
8. Now Can Run Apps in the Background – iPadOS
Isn’t it ridiculous that the iPad with the same Apple Silicon as the MacBook can’t do the same. This has been a question since the M-series chips were first introduced. With iPadOS 26, Background Tasks finally allows background processing to occur even when apps are not open. You can finally browse the web on your iPad while waiting for Final Cut Pro to process your edited video.
9. Open Multiple Apps in Windows at Once – iPadOS
Another macOS feature that has been lent to iPadOS this year is opening apps in multiple windows. iPadOS 26 now feels more like a real computer operating system, fulfilling Apple’s “what is a computer?” dream a few years ago. More than one app can be open at once and displayed in windows of varying sizes. Maybe one day a MacBook with a touchscreen will become a reality. Like Martin Luther King, I can only dream!
10. Macs Can Make Phone Calls – macOS
MacOS computers can now make phone calls for the first time with the Phone app. Previously, the ability to answer phone calls was only possible on a Mac. Every call made, received and the user's address book is synchronized across all devices owned.
11. Live Activities Now on Mac – macOS
Not stopping at borrowing the phone call feature from iOS, macOS 26 also borrowed the Live Activities feature this year. Laptops and iMacs don't have Dynamic Island but that's okay because Live Activities are displayed directly in the menu bar on the screen. This feature requires an iPhone to be connected to the Mac. Say goodbye to the incident of the Grab brother going crazy and you didn't notice he had arrived under the office because you were busy working on your MacBook and didn't look at your phone.
12. Spotlight Isn't Just for Searching Files – macOS
Spotlight on macOS can now not only search for applications and files stored on the computer, but can also search for applications installed on the connected iPhone. Applications can then be launched directly from within the macOS computer. In addition, Spotlight can be used to send emails directly without opening the email application first. Spotlight search can also be refined by category. Don't know where the settings of the application you have open on macOS? You can now use Spotlight to find specific features in the application. In short, Spotlight is now a local search engine for various macOS features and applications.
13. Games App As A Local Video Game Hub – iOS, iPadOS, macOS
The new Games app was announced with it being given to iOS, iPadOs and macOS. It becomes a local video game hub. All the video games installed on the device will be placed in Games for quick access. The latest information about the game can be seen in the same app and you will no longer miss it like before. The Apple Arcade collection can also be accessed through it.
14. Folders Can Be Changed in Color and Labeled With Emoji – macOS and iPadOS
File folders in macOS and iPadOS can be changed in color and placed with emoji labels to distinguish them from each other. This is not a big innovation but it cannot be denied that it brings a change in how files are stored on the computer. Previously in macOS, folders could only be marked with colored circles. With this new feature, Folders can be identified without having to read the label.
15. AirPods Now Control the Camera
AirPods are not forgotten. Last year, head gestures could be used to answer and reject phone calls. This year, AirPods can be used to take pictures or start recording videos remotely. Don't be surprised if this feature is quickly borrowed by other manufacturers because it's really useful.
16. AirPods Pause Content If You Fall Asleep
AirPods have been updated to pause the content you're listening to if it detects that you've fallen asleep. This feature is especially useful for people who like to listen to podcasts and background noise before going to sleep at night. This will prevent AirPods from wasting battery life because content continues to play after you fall asleep.
17. AirPods Remind You to Charge When the Battery is Low
It's frustrating when AirPods' battery is low or dead when you want to use it. With the next AirPods firmware update, a notification feature reminding users to charge the battery when it's low is finally introduced because let's face it, we rarely check our batteries even though the widget has been supported for a long time.
18. Workout Buddy Gives Encouragement While Exercising – watchOS
Motivation to exercise will increase if there is someone to give you words of encouragement. But in this digital age, how many people have a friend to exercise with or a personal trainer? Workout Buddy is a virtual trainer that will give you words of encouragement before, during and after exercise based on health data stored in Health.
19. Smart Stack Provides Smart Suggestions – watchOS
Apple Watch is also now smarter in providing activity recommendations through Smart Stack. Based on the user's location, time and habits, the appropriate exercise activities will be suggested by Smart Stack right from the watch screen. For example, if it detects a loss of cellular signal, Smart Stack will give you suggestions to turn back and the route map will open on Apple Watch.
20. New Wrist Turn Gesture – watchOS
Silent phone calls, alarms and closing Smart Stack can be done with a new wrist turn gesture. A useful gesture when you are exercising and cannot touch the screen or perform the two-finger touch gesture provided previously.
21. Profile Display Every Time Apple TV is Opened – tvOS
In my house there are three different Apple TV users: me, my wife and my child. Each has their own choice of app layout and background image. With tvOS 26, as soon as the Apple TV is turned on the profile screen will be displayed. This way each user can continue to use the Apple TV with their own interface layout without having to go to the menu that requires several additional steps.
22. Karaoke Using iPhone as Microphone – tvOS
Apple TV owners usually also have an iPhone. With tvOS 26, the new feature of singing karaoke using Apple Music content can be done easily. The iPhone becomes a replacement for the microphone with the singer's voice being thrown through the speakers like a real KTV. I tried it this morning and with the catalog of millions of songs on Apple Music, I no longer need to subscribe to a third service after this.
23. More Realistic 3D Persona Avatars – visionOS
Among the criticisms Apple received after the Vision Pro was launched was that some of the features offered seemed awkward to use. Persona is a 3D avatar as a substitute for yourself that can be used when making FaceTime calls. With visionOS 26, Persona looks more realistic with increased polygons and realistic-looking hair. This may be a competitor to Apple's Google Beam.
24. Widgets Realistically Attach to the Real World – visionOS
The real world and virtual objects can be combined in Vision Pro. With visionOS 26, widgets can be attached to real-world objects as if they really existed. There are shadows when placed on a wall or table surface. Vision Pro also remembers the location of each widget placed even after it is turned off. The widget for Photos can display the spatial images I mentioned above and it becomes a 3D portal like the world of Harry Potter.
25. Spatial Web Browsing – visionOS
Websites initially only supported 2D content before becoming fully interactive with video content. Later 3D objects can be displayed for video games. Apple feels that after this, 3D spatial web browsing will become the new norm. In collaboration with several website developers, images displayed on websites will be displayed spatially. 3D models of furniture from online stores can also be taken and placed in the real world to try before buying.
26- PlayStation VR2 Sense and Logitech Muse support – visionOS
Finally, the Vision Pro will support two more third-party controllers. The PlayStation VR2 Sense can be used as a virtual world controller that is not produced by Apple itself. Virtual objects in video games can now be controlled with the PlayStation VR2 Sense just like the PlayStation DualSense support before. For those who want to sketch directly in the virtual world, support for Logitech Muse is also provided. By wanting to control the Vision Pro, you are not limited to just two hands.