# The Liquid Glass Revamp of iOS 26: An In-Depth Summary
As Apple gears up for the introduction of iOS 26, users can look forward to a major visual transformation, especially with the reworking of app icons. This is the first instance since iOS 7 where Apple has thoroughly redesigned all system app icons, ensuring a fresh and contemporary appearance for the iPhone home screen this autumn.
## A Cohesive Visual Framework
The Liquid Glass revamp encompasses more than just visual appeal; it signifies a comprehensive rethinking of Apple’s strategy for app icons across its ecosystems. Traditionally, iOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS displayed various iterations of the same icons. For example, macOS icons featured greater 3D depth and shadowing, while watchOS icons were round but shared minimal similarities with their visionOS counterparts.
With iOS 26, Apple has seized the chance to harmonize iconography across its platforms. The icons on iOS and macOS now exhibit a unified design language, featuring a ‘squircle’ rounded rectangle shape for all Mac icons, closely aligning with the iPhone’s visual style. In addition, watchOS and visionOS icons will also incorporate this fresh design, simply trimmed to accommodate a circular format.
## Design Advancements
Apple’s updated design principles promote the inclusion of glass elements, which offer depth through edge highlights and blur effects. Updated alignment rules stipulate the spacing for circular components within the icons, guaranteeing a uniform and refined look. Notably, the squircle shape has been delicately modified, showcasing a larger corner radius for a gentler appearance.
One of the key attributes of the new icons is their adaptability to device movement. On iPhones and iPads, the glass elements respond dynamically, producing subtle directional light effects that enhance the overall user experience.
## Visual Contrast: iOS 26 vs. iOS 18
To exemplify the design advancements, a side-by-side evaluation of the iOS 26 app icons alongside their iOS 18 versions demonstrates a distinct evolution in visual style. The new icons are widely considered more visually appealing, highlighting Apple’s dedication to design superiority.
## Conclusion
The Liquid Glass revamp of iOS 26 not only rejuvenates the appearance of system features like buttons and tab bars but also substantially refines the app icons, establishing a unified visual identity across all Apple platforms. As users await the autumn launch, the new icons are set to enhance the overall experience of utilizing iOS devices.
