Harness Apple's New Design Kits for iOS 26 to Create Liquid Glass Icons

With the arrival of iOS 26, Apple has unveiled a striking new chapter in its design evolution: the Liquid Glass design language. This innovative aesthetic brings a translucent, glowing quality to iPhone and iPad interfaces, blending modern simplicity with a tactile, material-like depth.

To support designers and developers in embracing this shift, Apple has rolled out official UI design kits for Figma and Sketch, tailored specifically for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. These resources equip creators with everything needed to craft app icons and interfaces that harmonize with the sleek, luminous Liquid Glass style.

The Innovation of iOS 26 Design

The release of iOS 26 introduces a bold transformation in Apple’s approach to design. The Liquid Glass language merges the clarity of flat design with a sense of physical depth, delivering an interface that feels both intuitive and contemporary. Semi-transparent elements, subtle glowing effects, and carefully chosen color accents define this look, creating a stronger visual hierarchy for users.

App icons now come with greater flexibility, offering customization options like light, dark, tinted, and even a "fully transparent" mode that mimics clear glass for a unique, personalized flair. This cohesive design approach enhances the experience across both system features and third-party apps, setting a new standard for visual elegance.

👉 iOS 26 Liquid Glass: How to Optimize App Icons for Enhanced Visual Appeal & User Experience

Introducing the New Design Kits

Apple’s official UI design kits, available for Figma and Sketch, are invaluable tools for bringing iOS 26’s vision to life.

The Figma kit, updated on July 17, 2025, and the Sketch kit, refreshed on June 9, 2025, both weigh in at 118.3 MB and come packed with resources. Inside, designers will find components for all standard controls and views, along with design templates, text and color styles, materials, and layout guides.

These kits streamline the process of prototyping and designing, ensuring that every creation aligns seamlessly with Apple’s latest design principles.

How to Optimize Your App Icon for iOS 26

Crafting app icons for iOS 26 involves working with Apple’s updated guidelines and tools to fully embrace the Liquid Glass aesthetic. A key resource here is Icon Composer, a new tool from Apple that simplifies the creation of icons compatible with light, dark, tinted, and fully transparent modes. When designing for transparency, it’s crucial to ensure the icon remains distinct and recognizable—relying on bold shapes or clean lines can help achieve this.

The standard size for icons is 1024x1024 pixels in PNG or JPEG format, though smaller variations, like 120x120 pixels for Spotlight search, are also required. Testing across all display modes guarantees that your icon shines in any setting, from vibrant tints to transparent glass effects.

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Benefits of Using the Design Kits

• Save time: Pre-built components and templates accelerate the prototyping and design process.
• Maintain consistency: Ensure the app's UI matches Apple's design language, enhancing user experience.
• Comply with guidelines: Reduce the risk of App Store review rejection by adhering to the Human Interface Guidelines.
• Future compatibility: Keep the design compatible with the latest iOS versions as Apple's design language evolves.

Editor's Comments

The debut of iOS 26 and its design kits signals a turning point for mobile creativity. The Liquid Glass aesthetic doesn’t just elevate the look of the operating system—it invites designers to rethink how they blend form and function. By offering these official resources, Apple empowers its developer community to build apps that are as stunning as they are practical, delivering a seamless and delightful experience for users. The long-term influence of this design shift on app development and interaction is something to keep an eye on as it unfolds.