Google Denies Android Copying New iOS Design

Google has directly denied any plans to adopt Apple’s controversial Liquid Glass design language for Android, dismissing user speculation after a promotional video sparked comparisons to Apple’s iOS 26 aesthetic. The denial comes as Google prepares for its annual developer conference, The Android Show: I/O Edition, set for May 12, 2026, where the company is expected to unveil new features and design directions for Android 17.

Apple’s iOS 26, released in September 2025, introduced Liquid Glass as a core design element, described as a translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, creating a dynamic and expressive user interface. This design extends across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, establishing a cohesive visual language across Apple’s ecosystem. The feature has been met with mixed reactions, with some users praising its aesthetic appeal and others criticizing its practicality and usability.

Google’s Android president, Sameer Samat, addressed the speculation in a public post, stating Not happening! Y’all are wild in response to a social media mockup depicting an Android device with a Liquid Glass-inspired design. This statement was made in the context of a teaser video for The Android Show, which featured Google’s mascot transforming into a glassy, translucent appearance, prompting widespread jokes and concerns about potential design borrowing.

According to official sources, Google has confirmed that Pixel phones will not receive a Liquid Glass-style redesign. The company has invested significantly in its Material Design language over the past decade, and there is no indication that this will change. Instead, Android 17 is expected to focus on other visual and functional improvements, including the introduction of more blur effects in the system user interface, as previously reported in internal builds and developer notes.

While Google has not detailed all the design changes planned for Android 17, the company’s emphasis on Material Design and its recent focus on blur effects suggest a continued evolution of the platform’s aesthetic, rather than a wholesale adoption of Apple’s Liquid Glass. The upcoming I/O event will provide further clarity on the direction of Android’s visual and functional updates, including potential new features for developers and users alike.

For now, Android users can expect Google to maintain its distinct design identity, even as it continues to innovate and refine the user experience. The denial of Liquid Glass adoption underscores Google’s commitment to its established design philosophy and its desire to avoid direct comparisons with Apple’s latest software releases.