A New WhatsApp Look Inspired by iOS 26
WhatsApp is rolling out a major visual refresh on iPhone, aligning its interface with Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 design language. The update, currently being tested in WhatsApp for iOS version 25.28.75, introduces what Meta calls a Liquid Glass aesthetic. Instead of the previously flat appearance, the app now leans into transparency, layered visuals, and more fluid motion. The idea is to make WhatsApp look and feel more native within Apple’s evolving UI, while keeping the familiar layout that users rely on daily. This WhatsApp interface redesign is not yet universal, but early testers report a noticeably more polished, premium experience. By embracing iOS 26’s visual direction, WhatsApp is positioning itself as a first-wave adopter of Apple’s new design era, setting expectations for how third‑party messaging apps may modernize their look and feel.
Liquid Glass in Action: Translucent Tabs and Depth Effects
The most striking change in the WhatsApp Liquid Glass update is the new bottom navigation bar. It now appears as a semi-transparent, glass-like strip that subtly blurs chat content beneath, creating a floating effect. This translucent tabs messaging approach mirrors iOS 26’s system-wide focus on layered depth and visual hierarchy. Icons animate more smoothly when tapped, and the active tab indicator dynamically adjusts to match the selected icon, reinforcing the sense of fluid motion. Both light and dark themes benefit from tailored transparency and background treatments, making the redesign feel cohesive regardless of user preference. Overall, these tweaks transform WhatsApp from a utilitarian chat tool into a more visually immersive experience, demonstrating how subtle transparency and depth effects can dramatically modernize an otherwise familiar interface.
Refined Buttons, Menus, and Typing Experience
Beyond translucent navigation, WhatsApp’s Liquid Glass makeover extends to buttons, menus, and the typing interface. The app now adopts the native iOS 26 keyboard style, giving users a translucent, reflective surface that reacts to the chat background. This brings a cohesive iOS 26 design update that makes typing feel more integrated with the surrounding UI. Buttons throughout the app have been refreshed with semi-translucent surfaces and smoother tap animations, reinforcing the overall glass-like theme. Context menus also receive a layered, adaptive transparency treatment, shedding the flat look for a more modern, floating appearance. Not every element is fully updated yet—the chat bar still retains parts of the older design—but the direction is clear: WhatsApp is systematically replacing flat components with dynamic, depth-rich visuals that better match Apple’s next-generation interface.
Gradual Rollout and the Path to a More Native iOS Experience
Despite the buzz, not every iPhone user will see the new WhatsApp interface redesign immediately. The Liquid Glass features are enabled gradually on select accounts, even for those who have installed the latest 25.28.75 release from the App Store. This controlled rollout lets WhatsApp monitor performance, gather feedback, and refine animations and transparency effects before committing to a full public launch. Some UI fragments, like the chat bar, still show traces of the old flat design, signaling that the visual overhaul is a work in progress rather than a finished product. Nevertheless, the direction is unmistakable: WhatsApp wants to feel like a native extension of iOS 26, not just an app running on top of it. As Apple pushes transparency, depth, and motion as core OS themes, WhatsApp’s early adoption may encourage other major apps to follow suit.