WhatsApp embraces iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design language
WhatsApp is rolling out a substantial visual refresh for iPhone, adopting Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language from the iOS 26 interface update. First spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 25.28.75, the redesign introduces a translucent app interface that feels much closer to Apple’s latest system UI. Instead of the flatter look longtime users are familiar with, the app now leans on transparency, layered depth, and more fluid motion to create a cleaner, more immersive experience. WhatsApp’s core layout remains intact, so chat lists, calls, and status tabs are still right where users expect them. The change is less about rearranging features and more about elevating the way the app looks and feels. By aligning its appearance with iOS 26, WhatsApp aims to feel more native on iPhone, matching Apple’s evolving visual identity while maintaining its own recognizable structure.
Translucent tabs, glassy menus, and refreshed buttons
The most visible part of the WhatsApp redesign is the bottom navigation bar. It now sits on a semi‑transparent, glass‑like surface that subtly blurs content beneath, creating a floating effect that echoes iOS 26. Icons respond with smoother animations when tapped, and the active tab indicator dynamically follows the selected icon, reinforcing which section you are in at a glance. Beyond the tabs, buttons across the app adopt semi‑translucent surfaces and gentler depth effects, replacing the older, flatter style. Context menus also get the Liquid Glass treatment, with adaptive transparency and layered visuals that better match Apple’s latest interface conventions. Together, these changes give the WhatsApp Liquid Glass design a more premium, polished feel, especially on OLED displays where transparency and blur are more pronounced. It is a comprehensive visual overhaul that stays grounded in familiar patterns while clearly signaling a new era for the app’s UI.
Smarter motion and a more immersive typing experience
Beyond static visuals, the WhatsApp redesign leans heavily into motion and interaction. Smoother transitions between screens and more fluid animations on taps and gestures help the app feel less rigid and more responsive. The typing experience gets a notable upgrade as well. WhatsApp is adopting the iOS 26 native keyboard style, giving the keyboard a translucent, reflective appearance that subtly adapts to your chat background. This makes the lower half of the screen feel like a single, cohesive layer instead of separate blocks. Buttons and interactive elements respond with softer tap animations, reducing visual harshness and making everyday interactions feel more natural. Not every component has fully embraced the Liquid Glass aesthetic yet—the chat bar, for instance, still carries traces of the older flat design—but the direction is clear: WhatsApp is pushing toward a more immersive and delightful interface without compromising usability.
Aligning with iOS 26 and Apple’s broader ecosystem look
WhatsApp’s Liquid Glass redesign does more than refresh a single app; it mirrors broader iOS 26 design trends across Apple’s ecosystem. Apple’s latest visual language emphasizes transparency, layered depth, and cohesive motion from the system level through to third‑party apps. By embracing a translucent app interface, glass‑like overlays, and updated navigation styling, WhatsApp fits more seamlessly into that environment. This alignment makes the messaging app feel more like a native part of the operating system rather than a visually separate layer on top of it. For users, that translates into a more consistent experience when jumping between system apps and WhatsApp. For Meta, it is a strategic move to keep WhatsApp feeling current on iPhone as Apple continues refining iOS. As messaging apps evolve into richer, more expressive platforms, this kind of visual harmony is becoming as important as raw functionality.
What the redesign means for usability and what happens next
Underneath the visual flash, the WhatsApp redesign 2025 quietly improves everyday usability. Clearer visual hierarchy—through layered backgrounds, distinct translucent surfaces, and more responsive tab indicators—helps users instantly recognize where they are in the app. The combination of transparency and depth subtly guides attention to primary actions, making navigation feel more intuitive without adding clutter. At the same time, WhatsApp is rolling the iOS 26 interface update out cautiously. Even with version 25.28.75 installed, not every account sees the Liquid Glass design yet, as the feature is being enabled gradually to monitor stability and user feedback. Some areas, like the chat bar, are still transitioning and may evolve before the broader release. For now, iPhone users can expect the look and feel of WhatsApp to edge closer to iOS 26 over time, bringing a more modern, cohesive, and visually expressive messaging experience.