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At least for now, Liquid Glass in Pixelmator Pro remains a Creator Studio exclusive

Avatar for Michael Burkhardt  | Apr 11 2026 - 8:11 am PT
11 Comments

Earlier this year, Apple introduced Apple Creator Studio – a new subscription bundle that provides users access to all Apple pro software on Mac and iPad, such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, and Pixelmator Pro.

With this launch, we got Pixelmator Pro on iPad for the first time – and a new Liquid Glass design on Mac. However, the latter is yet to be released for people who already paid for the app, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change.

When Apple initially released the new version of Pixelmator Pro for Creator Studio users, it had promised that updates would continue for users who already purchased the apps – just that a few Creator Studio exclusive features wouldn’t be there. That’s more than fair, and that has so far remained to be the case.

There’s one catch there though – and the catch is that you won’t get Liquid Glass.

New update, no liquid glass

The first major update to Pixelmator Pro since the Creator Studio launch came out this week, adding improved file support for some new camera models and new app mockup templates featuring iPhone 17 models. This update came to both the up front paid version and the Creator Studio version – with one key distinction: the up front paid app is version 3.8, and the Creator Studio app is version 4.2.

Top comment by K3v

Liked by 10 people

The richest company on the planet is butchering its own software just to milk users for more money. Real innovation right there.

View all comments

In functionality, they’re almost completely identical – but for whatever reason, Apple has decided that people who already paid for the app won’t be getting the new Liquid Glass design. To some, this is probably a benefit, since many aren’t in love with the design language anyways.

Nonetheless, if you’re someone who likes Pixelmator Pro, already bought the app, and would’ve liked to have a Liquid Glass design – it appears you’re out of luck, at least as things stand right now.

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Author

Avatar for Michael Burkhardt Michael Burkhardt

Michael is a 9to5Mac Reporter, leading all of our Apple news coverage on weekends and reviewing the newest Apple products and accessories. He got started in the world of Apple news during the pandemic, and it became a growing hobby. He’s also an indie iOS developer, and started the weekly Indie App Spotlight series, which has covered hundreds of blooming new apps since it launched. In his free time, he enjoys shooting street photography around New York City on his Sony A7RV.

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