A Liquid Glass makeover for WhatsApp on iOS
WhatsApp is rolling out a bold visual overhaul on iPhone, testing a Liquid Glass interface inspired by Apple’s iOS 26 design language. The WhatsApp redesign is currently tied to version 25.28.75 on iOS and is being enabled gradually, meaning not every user on that build will see the new look right away. The update leans heavily into transparency, layered visuals, and smoother motion, bringing WhatsApp closer to the system-wide aesthetics Apple is introducing with iOS 26. Rather than reinventing the layout, Meta is refreshing the surfaces: semi-transparent panels, glass-like overlays, and softer depth effects give familiar screens a more premium, immersive feel. For users, this WhatsApp new update aims to make the app feel less like a bolt-on messenger and more like a native part of the broader iOS 26 design environment.
Translucent tabs, floating bars, and smoother animations
The most striking change in the Liquid Glass interface is the reworked bottom navigation bar. It now sits on a semi-transparent surface that subtly blurs the content beneath, creating a floating, glass-like effect that echoes iOS 26’s visual language. Icons respond with smoother animations when tapped, and the active tab indicator dynamically adjusts to match the selected icon, reinforcing a sense of motion and responsiveness. WhatsApp is also extending these transparency and depth cues to both light and dark themes, tuning opacity and background blur to suit each mode. Across the app, transitions feel more fluid than the previous flat design, aligning WhatsApp more closely with Apple’s push toward motion-rich, layered UIs. Overall, these tweaks make the WhatsApp redesign feel more polished and visually cohesive with the rest of the iOS 26 interface.
Redesigned buttons, menus, and the iOS 26 keyboard vibe
Beyond the navigation bar, WhatsApp’s new update revamps many core interface elements to match the Liquid Glass look. The app now adopts the native iOS 26 keyboard styling, giving the typing experience a translucent, reflective appearance that adapts to the chat background. This makes the keyboard feel more integrated with conversations rather than a rigid, opaque slab. Buttons throughout the app have been updated with semi-translucent surfaces and smoother tap animations, further emphasizing depth and motion. Context menus also receive a glass-like treatment, with adaptive transparency and layered visuals that make them feel less intrusive and more modern. Not every corner of the app has caught up yet—the chat bar, for instance, still retains parts of the older flat design—but the direction is clear: WhatsApp is moving toward a fully consistent Liquid Glass interface on iOS.
Why this redesign matters for WhatsApp and iOS users
This visual overhaul represents a significant departure from WhatsApp’s long-standing, utilitarian aesthetic on iPhone. By embracing transparency, layered depth, and smooth animations, WhatsApp is aligning more closely with Apple’s evolving iOS 26 design language and making the app feel more at home on modern devices, especially those with OLED screens where subtle visual effects stand out. Strategically, the Liquid Glass interface suggests Meta wants WhatsApp to feel like a native part of Apple’s next-generation ecosystem rather than a cross-platform compromise. It also mirrors a broader trend in messaging apps, which are evolving from purely functional tools into visually expressive platforms. For now, the redesign is limited to select accounts as WhatsApp tests stability and gathers feedback, and some details may still change. But for users who value design consistency, this is one of the most ambitious WhatsApp redesign efforts in years.
