iOS 26 Safari Browser Redesign: A Leap into Liquid Glass and Floating Toolbars

With the release of iOS 26, Apple continues its quest to refine the user experience on iPhone Safari, bringing in design changes that showcase their new Liquid Glass theme. The revamped browser introduces new modes, sleek animations, and updated UI elements that aim to make browsing more intuitive and visually pleasing. However, this shift brings both praise and criticism, as users navigate through the changes Apple has implemented. Here’s a closer look at what’s new and what users can expect from the iOS 26 Safari browser redesign.

New Design in Safari for iPhone: Liquid Glass and Floating Elements

iOS 26 Safari introduces a striking visual update with its Liquid Glass design system. This update transforms the browser’s toolbars and buttons, which now seem to float over the content of the webpage, giving them a sense of depth. As you scroll through a web page, these elements reflect a transparent, fluid aesthetic that blends well with the content.

Ever since the controversial Safari redesign in iOS 15, Apple has been experimenting with layout modes. In iOS 26, the company has reworked the previous ‘Tab Bar’ and ‘Single Tab’ modes, renaming them to ‘Bottom’ and ‘Top.’ Along with these, a new mode called ‘Compact’ has been introduced, which brings a mix of previous design concepts while incorporating the latest changes to maintain a cohesive visual theme.

The iOS 15 redesign faced significant user backlash, particularly because the Safari URL bar was moved from a fixed position at the top of the screen to a floating element at the bottom. This floating toolbar minimized itself as users scrolled, causing confusion for many users. Apple responded to these complaints by offering a compromise: adjustments to the floating toolbar behavior and an option to revert to the old fixed URL bar at the top.

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In iOS 26, the new default mode, Compact, offers a more familiar design for users who preferred the older style. The URL bar is now placed at the bottom, floating between the back button and the more options button (•••). This bar shrinks as you scroll down but expands again when you scroll up, giving a dynamic feel to the interface.

The Bottom layout, which was a part of earlier iOS versions, has received a fresh update. The URL bar and toolbar can expand into a full-width layout when needed, and as you scroll, the design minimizes into a smaller, more compact version that mirrors the Compact mode.

Meanwhile, the traditional Top layout remains available, offering a more conservative, fixed layout. However, in iOS 26, the top and bottom toolbars have adopted a floating design, matching the curvature of the device’s screen, and they minimize as you scroll, just like previous versions.

What Undercode Says: Understanding iOS 26 Safari’s User Experience Changes

The new Liquid Glass theme in iOS 26 Safari marks an ambitious shift in Apple’s design philosophy. The floating elements and smooth animations add to the visual appeal, but they also bring mixed reactions from users. Some appreciate the modern, sleek look, while others find the changes disorienting. Apple’s decision to keep the traditional ‘Top’ layout is a smart move, as it appeals to users who prefer the older, more fixed style. However, it’s clear that the company is pushing for a more fluid browsing experience, especially with the new Compact and Bottom modes.

From a user experience perspective, iOS 26’s updates bring a balance of novelty and familiarity. While the updated floating toolbars and buttons seem futuristic, they could lead to frustrations for some, particularly those who preferred the previous, more static browser interface. The floating URL bar, which was the center of much controversy in iOS 15, is still very much present in iOS 26, albeit with more customization options. This shows Apple’s commitment to innovation, but also its attempt to listen to user feedback and make adjustments where necessary.

It’s also worth noting that the Compact mode, despite its widespread appeal, is currently unavailable on macOS and iPadOS 26. This could either be a temporary removal or an indication that Apple is experimenting with different layouts on these platforms. Only time will tell whether this design change will be extended to all devices.

Fact Checker Results ✅❌

✅ Floating Toolbar Innovation: The floating toolbar design, introduced in iOS 15, is still present in iOS 26 with slight improvements, allowing users to have a more dynamic browsing experience.
❌ Compact Mode on macOS: As of iOS 26 beta, the Compact layout is missing from Safari on macOS, which may cause confusion among users expecting a uniform experience across devices.
✅ User Customization: Apple continues to give users the ability to choose between multiple layout options in Safari, providing flexibility in the browser experience.

Prediction 📱✨

Looking forward, it’s likely that Apple will continue refining its Liquid Glass design system in future iOS releases, potentially bringing even more fluid and immersive browsing features to Safari. While the current redesign in iOS 26 is met with mixed reactions, it’s clear that Apple is focused on enhancing user engagement through visual innovations. As the beta phase progresses, we might see further tweaks to the toolbar behavior, and there’s a possibility that the Compact layout will eventually return to macOS and iPadOS, aligning the browsing experience across all Apple devices.