A Fresh WhatsApp Look Inspired by iOS 26
WhatsApp is rolling out a major visual refresh on iPhone, closely aligning its interface with Apple’s new iOS 26 design language. The update, currently surfacing in WhatsApp for iOS version 25.28.75, introduces what Meta is calling the “WhatsApp Liquid Glass design.” Instead of the older flat aesthetic, the app now leans on transparency, layered visuals, and softer depth effects to create a more immersive feel. Importantly, WhatsApp hasn’t thrown out its familiar layout; chats, tabs, and menus are still where users expect them to be. The change is about how these elements look and move, not where they live. By mirroring the system-wide iOS 26 interface redesign, WhatsApp aims to feel more native, cohesive, and premium on iPhone, especially as Apple pushes transparency and motion as key parts of its latest UI.
Translucent Tabs and a Floating Bottom Bar
One of the most noticeable changes in the WhatsApp new update is the redesigned bottom navigation bar. Instead of an opaque strip, it now sits on a semi-transparent surface that subtly blurs the content underneath, creating a floating, glass-like effect. This is a clear nod to the iOS 26 interface redesign and its emphasis on layered depth and translucency. The icons along the bottom respond with smoother animations when tapped, while the active tab indicator now dynamically adapts to the selected icon, making the interaction feel livelier and more responsive. These translucent tabs in WhatsApp are available in both light and dark themes, with transparency levels and background blur tuned differently to keep everything readable. Overall, the bottom bar sets the tone for the rest of the Liquid Glass aesthetic, hinting at a more fluid and polished app experience.
Liquid Glass Keyboard, Menus, and Buttons
Beyond navigation, WhatsApp is adopting more of Apple’s native visual cues by embracing the iOS 26 keyboard and menu styling. The typing experience now features a translucent, reflective keyboard that subtly adapts to the chat background, reinforcing the Liquid Glass illusion. Buttons across the app have been refreshed with semi-translucent surfaces, refined shapes, and smoother tap animations that make everyday actions feel more tactile. Context menus are also getting a glass-like makeover: they float with layered, adaptive transparency, replacing the older flat sheets with something closer to Apple’s latest UI philosophy. All of this contributes to a more cohesive, modern look that aligns with the broader WhatsApp Liquid Glass design goal. While the chat bar still retains some of the previous flat design, the direction is clear—WhatsApp is steadily moving toward a fully glass-inspired visual identity on iOS.
Why the Liquid Glass Look Matters—and What Comes Next
This Liquid Glass makeover is about more than aesthetics; it signals how major apps are evolving alongside platform design trends. By embracing transparency, motion, and layered depth, WhatsApp is positioning itself as a more premium-feeling messaging experience, especially on newer OLED iPhones where these effects really shine. The update makes the app feel more at home within Apple’s ecosystem, reducing the visual gap between system UI and third-party apps. At the moment, the redesign is still in a controlled rollout and beta testing phase, so not every user on version 25.28.75 will see it immediately. Meta is enabling the new interface on select accounts to monitor stability and collect feedback, and some elements—like the chat bar—are not fully converted yet. Expect further refinements and potentially broader adoption of Liquid Glass styling as iOS 26 becomes the default environment.