Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to take place from June 9 to June 13, 2025, at Apple Park in Cupertino and via a global livestream. The opening keynote begins on June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (1 p.m. Eastern, 10:30 p.m. IST), marking the most anticipated moment of the event. Traditionally aimed at software engineers, WWDC also attracts a broader audience curious about the next steps in Apple’s software direction. This year promises one of the biggest visual overhauls in over a decade, alongside a steady expansion of Apple’s artificial intelligence tools, rebranded as Apple Intelligence. Although hardware surprises are unlikely, speculation around development-focused devices remains.
The first major highlight of WWDC 2025 is the sweeping redesign of Apple’s operating systems. Under development codenamed “Solarium” or “Liquid Glass,” the refresh offers a uniform visual language across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. After years of fragmented aesthetics, Apple is aligning its interface elements with visionOS style — using rounded icons, translucent menus, layered glass-like textures, and more fluid navigation. This redesign mirrors the radical shift from iOS 6 to iOS 7 over a decade ago, and signals Apple’s intent to modernise the entire ecosystem. Each platform will benefit from this cohesive look, delivering a more coherent experience whether on phone, tablet, computer, or wearable.
Another visible change comes in the naming of software releases. Apple is abandoning version numbers such as iOS 19 and macOS 16 in favour of a year-based naming convention. Thus, after WWDC 2025, the next releases will be labelled iOS 26, macOS 26 (codenamed Tahoe), iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. This shift reflects a more calendar-aligned update cycle and makes it easier for users to recognise which version they are using.
Beyond aesthetics, iOS 26 is expected to add several functional upgrades. A redesigned Control Centre and camera interface will feature cleaner layouts and smarter organisation. Small but useful improvements, such as poll creation in Messages, custom chat backgrounds, and merged emoji (dubbed Genmoji) may appear. One of the most practical additions involves Wi‑Fi sign-on — Apple intends to simplify credentials sharing across its devices. The battery-related intelligence also gets a boost: AI-powered tools will optimise charging schedules and suggest when to plug in for longer battery life.
The iPad is also set for a significant update. iPadOS 26 may gain a menu bar at the top, more similar to macOS, and improvements to multitasking via an enhanced Stage Manager. These changes will target productivity-minded users who wish to bridge the gap between tablet and desktop workflows.
A new “Games” app may emerge during the keynote. This would combine Apple Arcade with broader gaming features like leaderboards, friend lists, and direct access to games. The app would exist on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, allowing users to launch games from a central hub. While not a major hardware initiative, the app signals Apple’s effort to refine its gaming ecosystem after years of scattered tools like Game Centre.
Apple Intelligence — the collective brand for its AI features—is expected to play a large role at WWDC, though Apple will likely maintain a cautious tone after last year’s more dramatic announcements. Updates to Siri remain in the pipeline, but may not appear immediately.
Instead, Apple will offer incremental enhancements such as improved battery management powered by intelligence, health coaching drawn from fitness data, and deeper integration of writing tools in apps like Notes and Mail. Third-party developers will gain access to Apple’s on-device language models through a new Foundation Models framework, allowing AI tools to run locally and improve privacy.
Live translation support in AirPods is another likely highlight. Bluetooth-connected buds may gain the ability to translate spoken languages in real time, enabling conversation between speakers of different tongues. Other rumored features include automatic nod/gesture controls for AirPods, headphone auto-pause during sleep, and hands-free camera activation, though Apple may save some of these enhancements for later in the year.
While no major hardware unveiling is planned, WWDC remains a developer-focused event and could still surprise. The most plausible device announcement is a Mac Pro featuring Apple’s M4 chip, catering to professionals. Apple may also preview visionOS-compatible controllers, foldable screen plans, or prototypes for next-generation HomePod/iPad hybrids. However, finished devices are unlikely, with previews instead aimed at platforms and development tools.
The structure of WWDC 2025 is designed with both developers and enthusiasts in mind. The June 9 keynote will introduce new software and future directions. A “Platform State of the Union” talk will follow, providing a deeper dive into technical changes, APIs, and frameworks. The rest of the week will host developer sessions, hands-on labs, and workshops across diverse topics—from design to machine learning to Unity game development.
Here is how you can watch WWDC 2025 live: the keynote will stream on Apple’s developer website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube. International viewers, like those in India, will tune in at 10:30 p.m. IST. For later reference, the sessions and labs will be available on demand. Apple’s Developer app will offer schedules and session listings. Reviewers, technology commentators, and Apple observers will publish real-time breakdowns of the changes, making it easy for fans to grasp both big new features and small but meaningful details.
For users, the preview isn’t just about from-a-distance glimpses: developer betas of all major software releases will roll out soon after WWDC ends. Public beta programs will follow, typically by mid-summer. Final versions of the new OS updates — iOS 26 and colleagues — should arrive in the fall, alongside new hardware such as iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Series 11. This cycle has become familiar: preview in June, test in July, ship in September.
For Apple, WWDC 2025 comes at a critical time. The company faces growing expectations in AI from consumers and critics alike. Rivals like Google and Microsoft are pushing generative AI aggressively. Apple, meanwhile, must prove that its more measured, privacy-centred AI approach can still deliver real-world benefits. The Solarium UI update is Apple’s bid to maintain aesthetic appeal while reinforcing cohesion across an expanding lineup of devices. And the move to year-based versioning simplifies a once-confusing app ecosystem.
Beyond material updates, WWDC is a sign of Apple’s priorities. The emphasis on software, not hardware, suggests confidence in its ecosystem and a willingness to refine rather than replace. Apple wants to show that new thinking—new designs, new tools—can move its platforms forward without needing flashy gadgets. WatchOS and visionOS get updates, but there is no new watch or AR accessory. Business users, educational institutions, and health-conscious consumers receive incremental improvements in multitasking, translation, and smart battery features.
By mid-week, developers will have full access to code samples, API notes, and technical guidance. They can begin experimenting with Apple Intelligence, Solarium design assets, and the new gaming framework. Apple’s ecosystem will soon gain smarter apps, better graphics, and richer experiences, foreshadowing the user benefits arriving later in the year.
