Apple to launch major design overhaul with iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16

Alan Dye, Apple's VP of Human Interface Design, is leading a major redesign, a key focus for the software and UI teams

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Apple is set to introduce its most significant design overhaul in years with the upcoming releases of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16.

The updates will refresh various elements of the company's operating systems, including icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons, simplifying navigation and control. The redesign, which draws inspiration from the VisionOS operating system used by the VisionPro VR headset, will feature circular icons and translucent panels to enhance the user interface.

The redesign, overseen by Apple’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, Alan Dye, is a major focus for the software and UI teams at Apple. Bloomberg reports that the changes will make the user experience more consistent across Apple’s platforms, with the first public demonstration expected at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.

The update marks a notable departure from previous major design shifts, such as those seen with iOS 7 in 2013 and macOS Big Sur in 2020, which introduced significant changes like the integration of iPad apps and compatibility with Apple’s custom silicon.

Though the redesign of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 is a key feature, there are also ongoing developments with Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered feature introduced with iOS 18. While many AI features were launched, the new version of Siri, which can use apps autonomously, has yet to be rolled out and is expected to arrive in the coming year.