Apple is set to unveil a major iPhone, iPad, and Mac interface overhaul in 2025. The update, inspired by visionOS, will simplify navigation and unify Apple’s ecosystem.

Apple is preparing to introduce a major redesign for iPhone, iPad, and Mac interfaces in 2025, marking the most significant visual transformation since iOS 7 in 2013.

According to Bloomberg, this overhaul will unify icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons across Apple devices, making them more intuitive and visually consistent.

The redesign will be part of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19, codenamed "Luck", and macOS 16, codenamed "Cheer". The changes will be Apple’s most significant update to Mac’s interface since macOS Big Sur in 2020 and a major shift for iPhone users worldwide.

Aiming for a seamless user experience

Apple’s goal with this redesign is to simplify navigation and control across all devices, ensuring a more fluid, modern, and connected experience. The new design will reportedly take inspiration from visionOS, the operating system behind the Vision Pro headset.

Currently, iOS, macOS, and visionOS have distinct design languages, leading to inconsistencies in app appearance and system controls. Apple aims to bridge these gaps, making the software ecosystem more cohesive and user-friendly.

While Apple is aligning the look and feel of its platforms, the company is not merging iOS and macOS. Apple believes that keeping Mac and iPad distinct allows each device to serve specific user needs while encouraging customers to own multiple Apple products.

A strategic move to boost iPhone sales

The iPhone’s slowing sales growth has pushed Apple to innovate aggressively. The company saw a decline in iPhone sales during the 2024 holiday season, highlighting the need for a fresh approach to attract consumers.

By revamping the iOS interface, Apple hopes to rekindle excitement for its devices and encourage upgrades among existing users. The redesign will be one of Apple’s key selling points for its next-generation devices, including the upcoming iPhone 17 series.

What to expect from the new design?

Apple's software design team, led by Alan Dye, is spearheading the interface overhaul. Dye, who played a key role in Apple Watch and iOS 7’s design, took over after legendary designer Jony Ive left the company in 2019.

The new interface is expected to introduce:

Refreshed app icons with a modernized and more unified look

Simplified menus and system controls for better usability

Enhanced depth effects and 3D elements, inspired by visionOS

A more consistent design across iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple is expected to unveil the changes at WWDC 2025, its annual developer conference, where the company traditionally announces new software updates.

The risks of a major redesign

With over 2 billion active Apple devices worldwide, even minor interface changes can trigger strong reactions from users. Past redesigns, such as iOS 7’s radical shift from skeuomorphism to flat design, were met with both praise and criticism.

A complete overhaul of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS comes with high stakes. While Apple aims to create a seamless and visually appealing experience, it must also ensure that the new interface remains intuitive, functional, and widely accepted by its user base.

Despite these challenges, Apple’s commitment to innovation and user experience suggests that the upcoming redesign will be one of the most influential changes in the company's history. As anticipation builds, users worldwide eagerly await what iOS 19, macOS 16, and iPadOS 19 will bring to their devices.

Bloomberg