WhatsApp Adopts Apple’s “Liquidโข Glass” Design for iOS 26
SUNNYVALE, CA – October 9, 2025 – WhatsApp has begun deploying a notable visual update for โฃits iOS app, โintegrating Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design โlanguage with the release of iOS 26.The โrollout,first reported โby WABetaInfo,marks one of theโ mostโค considerable interface changes forโ the messaging platform inโ years.
The redesign leverages the iOS 26 SDK โto incorporate dynamic transparency,โ depth effects, and fluid motion animations, resulting in a โmore modern look and feel. The update was initially spotted in the WhatsApp betaโ version 25.24.10.70 and is now reaching a limited number ofโ users.
According to WABetaInfo, the most promptly noticeable change โขisโ to โขthe tab bar, which now features a โฃsemi-translucent finish that subtly blurs the background, โขcreatingโ a “floating” effect โsimilar to native iOS applications like Messages and Music. โthe tab โขicons also respond withโข smooth animations upon being tapped, and the active tab highlight dynamically adjusts to fit theโฃ icon’s shape.
The Liquid Glass treatment extends to the keyboardโฃ andโ buttons withinโ the app. The new โtranslucentโข keyboard adaptsโค to the chat background and reflects content behind it, while โคbuttons showcase soft โreflections and subtle โanimations for a โขmore responsive user experiance. Contextโข menus now appear with a frosted-glass effect โthat reacts toโ light and โcolor in real-time.
WABetaInfo reports that the goal of theseโ updates is to deliver a โคconsistent and unified visual experience throughout the app, supporting both light and dark themes with automatic adjustmentsโค to transparency and โbackground effects.
While the โrollout is underway, not all elements of WhatsApp have been updated. The chat barโ and message bubbles currently retain โthe older design,with further updatesโฃ anticipated to complete the visual overhaul.
Currently, the update is being distributed gradually to users via testflight and the App Store. Access isn’t guaranteed with โขthe latest version, as WhatsApp is selectively enabling the new interface to test โขstability and collect user feedback before a wider release.
For usersโค interested in learning more about managing the transparency effects introduced with โขiOS 26, see this report: โ https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/apple-ios-26-liquid-glass-reduce-transparency-setting-how-to-apply-19676405.htm