Apple just delivered its most significant user interface overhaul in over a decade—ushering in a bold, cross-platform design system called Liquid Glass. Announced during WWDC 2025, this stunning visual refresh transforms the look and feel of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 2, making Apple’s entire software ecosystem more expressive, responsive, and unified—without sacrificing familiarity.
What Is Liquid Glass?
At the heart of the redesign is Liquid Glass, a dynamic new material that mimics the optical depth and fluidity of real glass. This translucent layer adapts to content and context—shifting color based on background elements and adjusting to both light and dark modes in real time. It refracts, reflects, and animates as users scroll or interact, creating a living interface that feels as responsive as it is beautiful.
According to Alan Dye, Apple’s VP of Human Interface Design:
“Liquid Glass combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve. It transforms depending on your content or context. It lays the foundation for new experiences in the future and makes even the simplest of interactions more fun and magical.”
This isn’t just a visual upgrade—it’s a rethink of how content, navigation, and interface elements behave across Apple’s devices.
What’s New Across Platforms?
iOS 26 & iPadOS 26
- Redesigned Home Screen and Lock Screen with dynamic, animated widgets.
- Tab bars shrink and expand fluidly based on scroll behavior.
- App interfaces (like Safari, Camera, FaceTime) reworked with Liquid Glass layers that prioritize content without losing usability.
- Enhanced multitasking and windowing support on iPad, with deeper keyboard and trackpad integration.
macOS Tahoe 26
- Fully redesigned Dock, desktop, and menu bar, all layered with Liquid Glass.
- New customization options: light/dark tints, transparent icon sets, and immersive widgets.
- App updates include enhanced sidebars and toolbars that reflect your wallpaper and content for a more ambient experience.
- New Phone and Games apps join the Mac experience, alongside upgraded Spotlight and Live Activities.
watchOS 26
- New Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, gives real-time coaching insights.
- UI redesigned with circular controls and floating buttons that match the Apple Watch’s contours.
tvOS 26
- A sleeker, cinematic interface powered by Liquid Glass.
- Revamped Apple Music Sing, with real-time lyrics and ambient transitions.
- New live captioning and support for multi-user profiles.
visionOS 2
- While not the center of this announcement, visionOS helped inspire the Liquid Glass aesthetic, with its depth, translucency, and spatial awareness forming the visual DNA for the redesign across all platforms.
Not Just Pretty—Smarter, Too
This redesign coincides with the launch of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new private, on-device AI system.
- Live translation for calls and messages, using on-device models.
- Deep ChatGPT integration across apps, including writing suggestions, summaries, and creative tools.
- Visual tools like image generation, document summarization, and contextual Siri enhancements.
- Unified across devices, with private cloud compute used only when necessary.
Tools for Developers
Apple also updated its development ecosystem to match:
- New APIs in SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit make Liquid Glass easy to adopt.
- Xcode 26 introduces AI-powered suggestions to assist developers with UI design and code.
- The new Icon Composer lets developers craft icons that adapt beautifully to all tints—light, dark, clear, and custom-colored—using Liquid Glass layers.
When Can You Try It?
- Developer betas are available now.
- Public betas will arrive next month.
- Full releases roll out this fall alongside the iPhone 17, new Macs, and Apple Watch Series 10.
Why It Matters
This is Apple’s first all-platform design unification in over a decade. Unlike previous iterations focused on flat design (like iOS 7), Liquid Glass brings depth and dimension back—but in a subtle, sophisticated way. It respects each device’s form factor while building a coherent visual language across all screens, large and small.
It’s not just Apple being flashy—it’s Apple realigning design, AI, and interactivity to meet a future where devices think with you, respond to you, and look alive doing it.
TL;DR:
Apple’s Liquid Glass redesign is more than just beautiful—it’s deeply considered, smartly integrated, and sets the foundation for the next generation of spatial, AI-enhanced computing.
Best Games On Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade offers a lot of games for people who like to play on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The service gives you many choices without ads or extra costs after you pay for a subscription. You can find all kinds of games there from simple puzzles to big adventures.
The best Apple Arcade games include popular titles like Sneaky Sasquatch, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and Grindstone which players often recommend as top choices. These games show the variety you can find on the service. With new games added regularly, Apple Arcade keeps growing its collection for all types of players.
1. Fantasian
Fantasian is a standout role-playing game on Apple Arcade created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the mind behind the Final Fantasy series. The game combines classic JRPG elements with innovative features that make it unique.
What makes Fantasian special is its visual design. Instead of standard computer graphics, the game uses nearly 160 handmade dioramas as backgrounds. These physical miniature sets create a magical atmosphere that digital art alone couldn’t achieve.
The gameplay follows traditional JRPG mechanics but adds fresh ideas. One notable feature is the “Dimengeon” system, which lets players send enemies to a separate dimension to fight later in batch battles.
Fantasian is known for its challenging difficulty. Many players consider it one of the toughest JRPGs in recent years, though it’s challenging in a rewarding way rather than feeling unfair.
The recent Neo Dimension version adds significant improvements to the original. This update includes an easier difficulty option, excellent voice acting in both English and Japanese, and other quality-of-life improvements.
Unlike some mobile games that feel constrained by their platform, Fantasian embraces the mobile format. The touch controls and interface work naturally with phones and tablets rather than feeling like compromises.
The story follows typical JRPG themes of world-saving and memory loss but executes them with heart. Characters develop meaningfully throughout the adventure, and the narrative takes some unexpected turns.
Music deserves special mention, with legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu creating a memorable soundtrack that enhances the game’s emotional moments and battles alike.
For Apple Arcade subscribers looking for a deep gaming experience, Fantasian offers dozens of hours of content with the polish and care you’d expect from the creators of Final Fantasy.
2. Grindstone
Grindstone is a standout puzzle game that combines action with match-style gameplay. Created by Capy (the award-winning team behind Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP), this game offers a fresh take on color-matching mechanics.
The core gameplay involves linking enemies of the same color to create attack chains. Players slash through colorful creatures on a grid, with longer chains yielding better rewards. Each level has specific objectives to complete, but the real challenge comes from knowing when to exit with your loot.
Greed plays a major role in the Grindstone experience. While you might meet the minimum requirements to clear a level, the temptation to stay for “just one more chain” creates genuine tension. This risk-reward balance makes things thrilling as one wrong move can cost you everything.
Despite its name, Grindstone isn’t actually grindy. The puzzle battles are satisfying without feeling repetitive, and the game introduces new elements at a steady pace to keep things interesting.
The visual style features charming cartoon violence with a quirky sense of humor. Enemies explode in colorful bursts when defeated, creating a oddly satisfying visual feedback loop.
As you progress, you’ll unlock new equipment and face increasingly complex challenges. Special items and unique enemy types force you to adapt your strategies beyond simple color matching.
For Apple Arcade subscribers looking for a high-quality puzzle experience, Grindstone hits all the right notes. It’s easy to pick up, difficult to master, and nearly impossible to put down once you start playing.
3. Sayonara Wild Hearts
Sayonara Wild Hearts stands out as one of the most visually striking games in the Apple Arcade library. This musical journey blends arcade gameplay with an electronic pop soundtrack that perfectly matches the on-screen action.
The game follows a young woman with a broken heart who travels through a dream-like world as her alter ego, The Fool. Players guide her through neon landscapes while collecting hearts and avoiding obstacles.
Gameplay shifts between different styles including motorcycle chases, sword fights, and rhythm-based challenges. Each level flows smoothly into the next, creating a continuous experience that feels like playing through a music video.
Apple named it Game of the Year for Apple Arcade in 2019, recognizing its unique artistic vision and polished execution. Critics and players praised its beautiful art style and tight gameplay mechanics.
The entire game can be completed in about an hour, but that short length works in its favor. It delivers a compact, emotional experience without unnecessary padding or filler content.
Unfortunately, as of August 15th, 2024, Sayonara Wild Hearts is no longer available on Apple Arcade. Players who enjoyed it during its run on the service often describe it as one of the best games of 2019.
The game combines accessibility with depth. New players can enjoy the ride and music, while those seeking challenge can aim for high scores and perfect runs through each level.
What makes Sayonara Wild Hearts special is how it merges gameplay, music, and visuals into something greater than the sum of its parts. Few mobile games achieve this level of artistic cohesion.
4. Sneaky Sasquatch
Sneaky Sasquatch stands out as one of Apple Arcade’s most beloved games. This charming title won the Apple Arcade Game of the Year award, and for good reason.
Players take on the role of a Sasquatch living in a national park. The gameplay revolves around sneaking into campsites, finding food, and avoiding park rangers while engaging in various activities.
What makes this game special is its variety. Players can fish, golf, ski, drive cars, and even disguise themselves as humans to blend in with campers. The game constantly expands with regular updates that add new areas and activities.
The art style is simple but effective, with colorful cartoon visuals that appeal to players of all ages. The controls are intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play.
Sneaky Sasquatch offers elements of different gaming genres all wrapped up in one package. It combines stealth, adventure, racing, and simulation aspects that keep the experience fresh.
The open-world nature of the game gives players freedom to choose their own path. You can follow the main storyline or simply explore the park at your own pace.
Many Apple Arcade subscribers consider it a must-play game on the platform. Its charm and wide appeal make it suitable for both kids and adults.
The developers at RAC7 Games created something truly unique with Sneaky Sasquatch. The game finds the perfect balance between casual play and meaningful progression.
5. What the Golf?
What the Golf? is a game that turns traditional golf on its head. It’s not your typical golf game – it’s for people who might not even like golf.
The game packs plenty of humor and unexpected twists. Instead of just hitting a ball, you might suddenly find yourself launching houses, cats, or even the golfer themselves toward the hole.
Each level brings new surprises and silly golf parodies. Players never quite know what to expect when they press the swing button. This unpredictability keeps the game fresh and entertaining.
The visual humor stands out as a major strength. Players often find themselves caught off guard by the absurd situations and scenarios that unfold. The game constantly subverts expectations in clever ways.
Golf puns and jokes fill every corner of this quirky title. The developers clearly had fun creating a game that doesn’t take itself seriously. Their playful approach shines through in every level.
Many consider it the best golf game for people who hate golf. This unique positioning has helped it stand out among other Apple Arcade offerings.
The controls remain simple throughout, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. Just aim and shoot – then laugh at the chaos that follows.
What The Golf? has earned praise as a top Apple Arcade title since its release. Its combination of accessibility, humor, and creative gameplay mechanics makes it a standout in the platform’s library.
For players looking for something completely different in the sports genre, this game delivers a refreshing take that breaks all the rules in the best possible way.
6. Air Twister
Air Twister is a fantasy endless shooter game created by legendary game designer Yu Suzuki. In this visually striking game, players control Princess Arch as she soars through the sky to battle bizarre invaders.
The game features trippy fantasy visuals that draw players into its unique world. These distinctive graphics help set Air Twister apart from other Apple Arcade offerings.
Players will find themselves engaged in arcade-style gameplay that harkens back to classic shooters. The controls are straightforward, making it accessible for casual gamers while still offering a challenge.
Air Twister represents Suzuki’s return to his arcade roots. Fans of his earlier work might notice some storytelling elements that seem influenced by his experience developing the Shenmue series.
The game follows Princess Arch on her mission to fight back against the strange forces threatening her world. This simple but effective premise provides just enough context for the non-stop action.
While some players might find the gameplay becomes repetitive after extended sessions, the initial experience is quite enjoyable. The fast-paced shooting mechanics keep things interesting during shorter play sessions.
Air Twister earned its place among PCMag’s best Apple Arcade games for 2025. This recognition highlights its quality among the subscription service’s growing library.
The game balances fantasy elements with shooter mechanics in a way that feels fresh. Its unique aesthetic and straightforward gameplay make it a solid choice for Apple Arcade subscribers looking for quick, engaging experiences.
7. Crossy Road Castle
Crossy Road Castle is a colorful multiplayer platform game that builds on the popularity of the original Crossy Road. It takes players on an upward journey through a spinning tower filled with challenges and fun obstacles.
The game starts you at the bottom of a massive tower. Each floor presents unique traps, platforms, and monsters to overcome as you climb higher and higher. No two runs are exactly alike, making each playthrough a fresh experience.
One of the best features is the co-op gameplay. You can team up with up to three friends for a total of four players working together. This makes it perfect for family game nights or hanging out with friends.
Players who enjoy teamwork will appreciate that when one player dies, others can continue the level. This helpful feature keeps the fun going without frustrating restarts.
The bright, blocky art style is appealing and easy to follow, even when the action gets intense. Controls are simple enough for players of all skill levels to pick up quickly.
Available on Apple Arcade, the game offers endless climbing challenges with no ads or in-app purchases to interrupt gameplay. The vertical design provides a nice contrast to the horizontal road-crossing of the original game.
Each section of the tower has its own theme with matching obstacles and enemies. You’ll need quick reflexes and good timing to navigate spinning platforms, dodge spikes, and defeat the various creatures blocking your path.
For those seeking long-term play value, the game keeps track of how high you climb. This creates a natural competitive element as you try to beat your previous records or challenge friends to climb higher.
8. Balatro Plus
Balatro Plus stands out as one of the best games on Apple Arcade. This unique card game blends elements of poker, solitaire, and deck-building with roguelike mechanics.
The game lets players bend the rules in creative ways. Users can add special effects to cards and jokers, creating nearly endless possibilities for gameplay strategies. This freedom to experiment keeps each session fresh and engaging.
Apple recognized the game’s excellence by naming it Apple Arcade Game of the Year. The honor comes as no surprise to those who’ve spent hours trying to master its mechanics.
What makes Balatro Plus so addictive is its perfect balance of luck and strategy. While the cards dealt involve chance, how players use them requires careful planning and risk assessment. This balance creates tension that keeps players coming back for more.
The game features a clean, minimalist design that works perfectly on iPhones and iPads. Controls feel intuitive, making it easy to pick up but challenging to master. The interface never gets in the way of the gameplay.
Balatro Plus includes a hypnotic soundtrack that complements the gameplay without becoming distracting. The audio enhances the experience, especially during longer playing sessions.
For Apple Arcade subscribers looking for a game with depth, Balatro Plus delivers. It joins other notable titles like Dicey Dungeons Plus and Final Fantasy IV Plus in the service’s growing library of quality games.
The game proves that innovative mechanics can breathe new life into familiar card game concepts. Its success shows that players appreciate games that respect their intelligence while remaining accessible.
9. Dicey Dungeons Plus
Dicey Dungeons Plus joined Apple Arcade on May 2, 2024, adding a quirky roguelike game to the subscription service. The game’s premise is simple yet captivating – you play as a giant walking dice battling through an ever-changing dungeon.
The gameplay revolves around dice rolls and chance, creating a unique mix of strategy and luck. Players must navigate through procedurally generated dungeons, making each playthrough different from the last.
What makes Dicey Dungeons stand out is its charming visual style and excellent soundtrack. The colorful graphics and animated dice characters give the game a welcoming feel despite its challenging nature.
Before joining Apple Arcade, Dicey Dungeons was available on the App Store for $4.99. Now subscribers can enjoy it without additional costs as part of their membership.
The game has quickly become one of the standout titles on Apple Arcade in 2024. Its blend of roguelike elements with dice-based combat creates an addictive loop that works perfectly for mobile gaming sessions.
Players can choose from various dice characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles. This variety keeps the game fresh even after many dungeon runs.
Lady Luck serves as the game’s antagonist, adding narrative flair to the dungeon-crawling experience. Her “cruel whims” are what players must overcome to win the game.
Dicey Dungeons Plus works well on both iPhone and iPad, making it a versatile addition to any Apple Arcade subscriber’s game library. Its turn-based nature means you can play at your own pace, perfect for on-the-go gaming.
10. Neo Cab
Neo Cab is a unique narrative-driven game that stands out in Apple Arcade’s lineup. Set in a cyberpunk future, it puts you in the role of one of the last human drivers in a world dominated by automated vehicles.
Players take on the role of Lina, a driver who moves to a new city and finds herself in a tough situation when her friend goes missing. The game blends visual novel elements with survival mechanics, as you must maintain both your emotional health and your driver rating.
What makes Neo Cab special is its sharply written characters and impressively realized setting. The neon-drenched visuals create a moody atmosphere that pulls you into its world.
Many players report losing track of time while playing. One Reddit user mentioned playing for two hours straight while thinking only 30 minutes had passed. This speaks to how engaging the storytelling can be.
The game features a mood bracelet mechanic that tracks your emotional state, affecting dialogue options and story paths. This creates a fresh take on choice-based narratives, where your feelings matter as much as your decisions.
Neo Cab explores timely themes like technology dependence, the gig economy, and human connection. These elements give the game depth beyond its captivating visuals.
Critics have praised Neo Cab as something quite special, noting its beautiful interactive story about relationships, starting over, and job insecurity. This has helped it earn a spot on lists of the best Apple Arcade games.
The game shines through its character interactions. Each passenger has their own story and personality, making every ride a new experience.
Understanding Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade is Apple’s subscription gaming service that gives users unlimited access to a curated library of games. The service launched in 2019 and now features over 200 games that can be played without ads or in-app purchases.
Subscription Benefits
Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month and provides access to the full game library with no additional costs. This flat fee model eliminates the frustration of free-to-play mechanics and hidden paywalls.
One key advantage is the complete absence of advertisements and in-app purchases, creating a more immersive gaming experience. Parents appreciate this feature as it prevents unexpected charges from children’s play.
The subscription includes Family Sharing, allowing up to six family members to access the service with a single subscription. This makes Apple Arcade an economical choice for households with multiple gamers.
Games can be downloaded and played offline, perfect for travel or areas with poor internet connectivity. New titles are added regularly, keeping the library fresh and engaging for subscribers.
Platform Compatibility
Apple Arcade works across all Apple devices, creating a seamless gaming ecosystem. Players can start a game on their iPhone and continue playing on their iPad, Mac, or Apple TV without losing progress.
The service is built into iOS devices through the App Store, making access simple. Each game is optimized for touch controls on mobile devices while supporting controllers on appropriate platforms.
Mac compatibility extends the gaming experience to desktop users. Apple TV support transforms the living room into a casual gaming space using the Siri Remote or connected game controllers.
Many games support multiple control methods, including touch screens, game controllers, and keyboard/mouse. This flexibility allows players to choose their preferred play style.
Cross-device syncing means game progress is automatically saved and transferred between devices using iCloud, eliminating the need to restart games when switching devices.
Game Genres and Variety
Apple Arcade offers an impressive range of game genres to suit every type of player. The platform mixes exclusive titles you won’t find elsewhere with family-friendly options that everyone can enjoy.
Exclusive Titles
Apple Arcade features many unique games you can’t play on other platforms. These exclusives cover various genres and styles.
Action Adventure Games
- Sonic Dream Team brings Sega’s blue hedgehog to Apple devices with exclusive 3D platforming action
- Bleak Sword offers challenging combat in a distinctive pixelated art style
Puzzle and Strategy
- Game Room provides classic board games reimagined for digital play
- Moonshot delivers physics-based challenges that test both timing and strategy
Many of these titles would be premium-priced games elsewhere but come included with the subscription. Apple regularly adds new exclusives to keep the library fresh and exciting.
Family-Friendly Games
Apple Arcade excels at providing games suitable for all ages.
Popular Family Titles:
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure – A wholesome life simulator with beloved characters
- Sneaky Sasquatch – A charming adventure game about a sasquatch living among humans
- Angry Birds – Physics-based puzzle action that’s intuitive for all ages
- Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom – Virtual pet care mixed with exploration
These games avoid inappropriate content and complex mechanics that might frustrate younger players. Most feature intuitive controls and clear objectives, making them perfect for family game nights.
Many offer multiplayer options so family members can play together, creating shared experiences rather than isolated gaming sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple Arcade offers hundreds of games across different genres, making it helpful to know which ones stand out in specific categories. Here are answers to common questions about game selection on the service.
What are the top-rated games on Apple Arcade for adult players?
Fantasian leads the pack for adult players with its stunning diorama art style and engaging JRPG gameplay created by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. The game features a unique battle system and compelling storyline.
Grindstone is another favorite, offering challenging puzzle combat that keeps adult players coming back. The game’s depth increases as you progress through hundreds of levels with new monsters and items.
Sayonara Wild Hearts delivers a unique musical experience with its pop album video game format, making it a standout artistic achievement that resonates with adult players.
Which Apple Arcade games offer the best experience with a controller?
Action games like Fantasian and Sayonara Wild Hearts truly shine when played with a controller. The precision offered enhances the gameplay experience significantly.
Sports and racing titles benefit tremendously from controller support, allowing for more nuanced movement and better reaction times. Many games display controller button prompts when a controller is connected.
Platformers and action-adventure games generally feel more responsive with a physical controller compared to touch controls. This creates a console-quality experience on Apple devices.
What are the most engaging strategy games available on Apple Arcade?
Grindstone combines puzzle elements with strategic combat planning, requiring players to think several moves ahead. Its blend of immediate satisfaction and long-term strategy makes it addictive.
Turn-based strategy games on the platform offer deep gameplay with thoughtful decision-making rather than quick reflexes. Many include campaign modes that provide dozens of hours of content.
City-building and resource management games let players construct and manage complex systems at their own pace. These games typically save progress automatically, making them perfect for pick-up-and-play sessions.
Can Apple Arcade games be enjoyed on both iPhone and Mac?
Yes, Apple Arcade games work across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV devices with the same subscription. Your progress syncs between devices when signed into the same Apple ID.
The control schemes adjust automatically between touch interfaces on mobile devices and keyboard/mouse setups on Mac. This creates a seamless transition between platforms.
Some games feel better on specific devices – strategy games often work well on iPad’s larger screen, while quick arcade titles might feel more at home on iPhone.
What are the standout Apple Arcade games for children?
Sneaky Sasquatch is incredibly popular with children, offering an open-world adventure as a sasquatch who sneaks around a campground. Its cartoonish style and gentle humor appeal to younger players.
What the Golf? provides a hilarious and creative twist on golf that children find entertaining. The game’s silly physics and surprise mechanics keep kids laughing while playing.
Educational games on Apple Arcade teach concepts through fun gameplay rather than feeling like homework. Many include parental controls and lack in-app purchases, making them kid-friendly.
How does Apple Arcade’s game library perform on an iPad?
iPad offers the ideal balance between screen size and portability for many Apple Arcade games. The larger display shows more game elements clearly compared to iPhones.
Games with detailed graphics and text-heavy interfaces benefit significantly from iPad’s screen real estate. Strategy games in particular become more manageable with the extra space.
The iPad’s processing power handles even the most demanding Apple Arcade games smoothly. Newer iPad models deliver performance comparable to dedicated gaming systems for many titles.
