Apple plans to introduce its next generation of software updates in a few months, including iOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27, and early expectations suggest that these updates will focus more on performance improvements and stability rather than a dramatic visual redesign. Many users hoped Apple would rethink the Liquid Glass interface after mixed reactions to its debut in iOS 26, but the current outlook suggests the company will continue refining the design instead of replacing it.
Liquid Glass became one of the most talked about parts of Apple’s recent software updates because it introduced a glass like visual layer across buttons, navigation bars, widgets, and icons. Some users enjoy the modern look and smooth animations, while others complain about readability problems when transparent elements overlap with text or icons. Apple already introduced a few customization options such as the “Tinted” style in iOS 26.1 and a toggle to disable certain highlights in iOS 26.4.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently addressed the future of the interface in his Power On newsletter, reporting that Apple does not appear to be planning a major redesign in iOS 27.
“The latest internal versions of iOS 27 and macOS 27 don’t reflect major design changes.”
Liquid Glass took years to develop and became a major part of Apple’s current design language, which explains why the company plans to keep improving it gradually instead of abandoning it after one release cycle.
Apple may add more control over Liquid Glass
Even though a full redesign looks unlikely, Apple continues to experiment with new customization tools for the interface. During the development of iOS 26, engineers tested a systemwide slider that would allow users to control how strong the glass effect appears across the entire operating system.
Engineers managed to apply that control to the lock screen clock, but technical challenges prevented Apple from extending the same slider to other parts of the system such as folders, the home screen, and navigation bars.
If Apple solves those engineering challenges in iOS 27, users may get a broader systemwide control for adjusting the Liquid Glass effect. That type of customization would give people more flexibility to tone down transparency or increase the visual effect depending on their preference.
Apple will likely continue refining Liquid Glass through small updates over the next few years, which suggests the interface will remain a central part of iOS design rather than a short lived experiment.
