Android Meets iOS 26: How to Get the Apple Look (and the Trade-offs)
Apple's iOS 26, with its "Liquid Glass" design, has definitely turned heads. Some folks love the transparent icons and light effects, while others, like some of my colleagues, aren't so sure, even calling it an "accessibility nightmare." But hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?
If you're on the Android side of the fence and find yourself intrigued by iOS 26's look, you might be wondering if you can bring some of that Apple magic to your device. The good news is, thanks to Android's customization options, it's definitely possible to get a taste of iOS on your phone.
The Quickest Route: Custom Launchers
The easiest way to overhaul your Android's look is with a custom launcher. Think of it as a theme pack for your entire phone. There are tons of free iOS-themed launchers out there, many of which are constantly updated to mimic the latest iOS versions.
I messed around with "Launcher iOS 26" on my phone, and it was surprisingly simple. It changed my wallpaper, some app icons, and even created those iOS-style widgets when I swiped left or right. You can really tweak things within the launcher itself to get it just how you want it.
Also, you can add an app that simulates the iOS control panel! Keep in mind, it won't replace your phone's actual control panel. It just kind of sits on top of it.
Diving Deeper: Widgets and the Quest for Transparency
Launchers are great for a general makeover, but what if you're really after that Liquid Glass transparency? That's where things get a bit trickier. Some widget packs, like "iOS Glass KWGT iOS 26 Inspired," can help.
I spent a little to get this, but you also need to shell out for KWGT Kustom Widget Pro. Using these tools, I was able to add transparent-ish widgets to my screen.
The process involves adding a KWGT widget, then choosing a template from the widget pack. I went with one that had app icons, a music player, and the date and time. It looked pretty slick!
The Reality Check: It's Not Always Perfect
Now, here's the thing: mimicking iOS 26 on Android isn't a flawless process. For example, "Launcher iOS 26" bombarded me with ads every time I wanted to change a setting. It got old, fast. Also, those icon packs? They often didn't look anything like the screenshots in the Play Store.
But be ready for a bit of troubleshooting. KWGT’s buttons don’t always work in the widgets, especially if the button is mapped to an app you don’t have installed. It will also need different permissions depending on the function you want the widget to perform.
More importantly, I couldn't quite nail that light refraction effect that makes Liquid Glass so unique.
If you’re trying to get your Android device to look like iOS 26, there will be limitations. Of the different solutions I tried, none could actually achieve the light refraction effects that many people enjoy in Liquid Glass.
My Take: Android is About Choice
Personally, I'm sticking with Android. While I admire some of iOS's accessibility features, I'm not convinced that making everything translucent is the answer. But that's the beauty of Android – it's all about choice. If you want to try and recreate iOS 26, go for it! Just be prepared for a few compromises along the way.
Source: AndroidAuthority