WhatsApp is taking a bold visual leap for iPhone users. According to a report by WABetaInfo, the messaging giant is testing a new Liquid Glass-based interface that brings depth, transparency, and smoother motion to its design. The update, currently rolling out to select users via the WhatsApp for iOS 25.28.75 beta, adopts Apple’s new iOS 26 aesthetic — aiming to deliver a cohesive, modern, and visually fluid user experience.
A fresh visual identity for WhatsApp on iOS
The Liquid Glass interface represents one of the most significant design shifts for WhatsApp in recent years. The update replaces static, flat visuals with translucent layers and soft transparency, creating a floating, glass-like look for app elements. The effect adds realism and depth to WhatsApp’s interface, allowing the background to subtly influence the overall tone and texture of the screen.
Apple’s new iOS 26 SDK makes this upgrade possible by giving developers tools to create dynamic lighting, depth, and motion effects. WhatsApp’s integration ensures the app feels more native to the iOS ecosystem than ever before — sleek, interactive, and visually immersive.
Redesigned tab bar and interactive elements
One of the standout elements of the redesign is the new semi-translucent tab bar. It blurs the background content while maintaining sharp iconography, creating a visually fluid transition as users move between chats, calls, and settings. The tab icons now respond with smooth animations when tapped, and the active indicator dynamically adapts to each icon’s width for better visual precision.
The bar intelligently adjusts between light and dark modes, ensuring visibility and contrast across environments. This reworked navigation gives WhatsApp a sense of depth and motion that feels more alive and interactive.
Liquid Glass keyboard and buttons
The update also extends the Liquid Glass treatment to the keyboard and action buttons. The keyboard now features subtle translucency that interacts naturally with the background, while the buttons share a consistent semi-transparent look with fluid tap animations. This approach enhances usability while maintaining a visually elegant theme consistent across the interface.
Revamped context menu and cohesive design
The context menu now features adaptive transparency and a reflective glass-like finish. When users long-press messages or media, the menu appears with gentle motion and depth effects, offering a more tactile and responsive interaction.
This attention to visual harmony and motion design ties the entire app together, creating a sense of cohesion between function and form. WhatsApp’s shift to Liquid Glass marks a deliberate move toward design sophistication — turning everyday interactions into a more refined digital experience.
Though the Liquid Glass update is currently in beta, it’s expected to roll out widely once testing concludes. The new look places WhatsApp in line with Apple’s evolving iOS design language and underscores Meta’s effort to give its products a fresh, future-ready feel.
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