What Is WhatsApp’s Liquid Glass Redesign?
WhatsApp is testing a major visual overhaul for iPhone that leans into Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 interface update. Dubbed the WhatsApp Liquid Glass redesign, the new look introduces semi-transparent surfaces, layered depth, and smoother animations across the app. Instead of the flatter interface users are familiar with, WhatsApp now experiments with glass-like overlays and softer visual effects that echo Apple’s evolving design language. The goal is to modernize the app while keeping its core layout intact, so navigation and key elements still feel familiar. This redesign is being trialed in WhatsApp for iOS version 25.28.75, where early testers are seeing a more immersive and premium aesthetic. By embracing transparency and motion, WhatsApp is positioning itself as a better visual match for iOS 26, while signaling that messaging apps can be both functional and visually expressive.
Translucent Tabs, Smoother Animations, and a New Bottom Bar
One of the most noticeable upgrades in the WhatsApp new design is the bottom navigation bar. Screenshots from the beta show a semi-transparent strip that subtly blurs the content behind it, creating a floating, glass-like effect. Icons now respond with smoother, more fluid animations when tapped, and the active tab indicator dynamically adjusts to match the selected icon. These translucent tabs in WhatsApp are being optimized for both light and dark themes, with transparency and background effects tuned to each mode. Beyond the bottom bar, transitions throughout the interface feel more polished, aligning with the motion-centric feel of iOS 26. Together, these tweaks make interactions feel less rigid and more organic, giving WhatsApp a visual coherence with the wider system UI while maintaining its recognizable structure and feature set.
Keyboard, Buttons, and Menus Get the Liquid Glass Treatment
The Liquid Glass update goes beyond navigation to touch nearly every interactive surface. WhatsApp is adopting the native iOS 26 keyboard style, giving the typing area a translucent, reflective appearance that subtly adapts to the chat background. Buttons across the app now feature semi-translucent surfaces and refined tap animations, reinforcing the glass-like aesthetic. Context menus have also been refreshed with layered, adaptive transparency that feels more modern and consistent with the rest of the interface. While the experience is not yet complete—the chat bar still retains elements of the older flat design—the overall effect is a more cohesive, premium UI. These changes are about more than cosmetics; they reshape how users perceive depth, focus, and hierarchy in the app, helping WhatsApp feel like a native part of the iOS 26 interface update rather than a bolt-on experience.
Why the Redesign Matters and Who Can Try It Now
For users, the WhatsApp Liquid Glass redesign promises a cleaner, more immersive messaging experience that better exploits modern iPhone displays, especially where transparency and depth effects stand out. By aligning closely with Apple’s evolving visual language, Meta is ensuring WhatsApp feels integrated with iOS 26 rather than visually out of step. This also reflects a broader trend: messaging apps are shifting from purely utilitarian tools to visually rich communication platforms. However, the rollout remains limited. The new interface is currently available only to select accounts on WhatsApp for iOS version 25.28.75, with the feature being enabled gradually via the App Store update. Meta is using this beta phase to monitor stability, gather feedback, and fine-tune details before a wider release. Some elements may still change, but the direction is clear: WhatsApp’s next look is all about liquid-like transparency and motion.