Liquid Glass arrives: a translucent makeover for WhatsApp
WhatsApp is rolling out a fresh interface that closely mirrors Apple’s emerging iOS 26 visual language, and it is already turning heads. Dubbed WhatsApp Liquid Glass, the redesign leans heavily on translucent interface design, layered visuals, and subtle depth effects to modernize the familiar chat experience. According to findings from WABetaInfo, the new look is currently being tested in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 25.28.75 and is being enabled gradually via the App Store. Instead of a flat, utilitarian UI, users will notice glass-like overlays, softer shadows, and smoother motion as they move around the app. The result is an interface that feels more immersive without discarding WhatsApp’s core layout, offering an early glimpse of how the messaging giant plans to align itself with Apple’s next-generation system aesthetic through the latest WhatsApp update 2024.
Translucent tabs, glassy buttons, and smoother animations
The most obvious change in this iOS 26 redesign is the revamped bottom navigation bar. It now appears as a semi-transparent strip that subtly blurs content behind it, creating a floating, glass-like effect. When users tap an icon, the active tab indicator smoothly morphs to match the selected symbol, reinforcing the sense of fluid motion. This treatment extends across both light and dark modes, with transparency and background blur tuned to each theme. WhatsApp is also adopting the native iOS 26 keyboard style, complete with a reflective, translucent finish that adapts to the current chat background. Buttons and context menus have been refreshed with semi-translucent surfaces and updated tap animations. Collectively, these touches push WhatsApp beyond a purely functional tool toward a more premium, visually expressive experience that sits comfortably within Apple’s Liquid Glass design system.
A more immersive, premium feel without losing familiarity
This Liquid Glass push is not just cosmetic; it changes how WhatsApp feels in everyday use. The layered transparency and depth effects give chats a sense of space, especially on OLED displays where blurred backgrounds and subtle gradients really stand out. Yet Meta has been careful to preserve the app’s fundamental structure so users do not have to relearn navigation. Chats, calls, and status remain where users expect, but they are wrapped in a softer, more polished shell. By pairing translucent elements with smoother motion, WhatsApp becomes visually closer to Apple’s own apps, which can make it feel more native and cohesive on iPhones. As messaging apps compete not only on features but also on aesthetics, this redesign positions WhatsApp as a modern, premium option that embraces contemporary translucent interface design trends without sacrificing usability.
Limited rollout and the broader trend toward iOS 26 design
For now, the Liquid Glass interface is still in a testing phase and not everyone on iOS will see it immediately. Even users on WhatsApp for iOS version 25.28.75 may find the old layout persists, as Meta is enabling the new visuals on select accounts to monitor stability and collect feedback before a broader release. Some areas, such as the chat bar, still retain elements of the older flat design, underscoring that this is a work in progress rather than a final overhaul. Nevertheless, WhatsApp’s early adoption of iOS 26’s design language highlights a wider industry shift: major apps increasingly tailor their look and feel to match Apple’s latest UI systems. As more third-party software embraces this aesthetic, users can expect a more consistent, cohesive experience across apps once the full WhatsApp update 2024 rollout is complete.