WhatsApp Working on Liquid Glass Design Inspired by Latest iOS Trends

WhatsApp is currently developing a significant visual overhaul for its interface, internally referred to as the “Liquid Glass” design. This aesthetic shift is heavily inspired by the latest design trends in iOS 26, aiming to provide a more premium, fluid, and native experience for iPhone users.

1. What is Liquid Glass Design?

The Liquid Glass concept moves away from the “flat” design that has dominated mobile apps for the last decade. It focuses on mimicking the physical properties of real-world glass, such as depth, transparency, and the way light refracts through surfaces. In this design language, layers appear to float on top of one another, and background colors softly bleed through blurred, “frosted” panels.

2. Key Interface Changes

The redesign introduces several major structural changes to the app’s layout:

• Floating Input Bar: The traditional chat bar, which previously sat as a solid block at the bottom of the screen, is being replaced with a floating, translucent component. This makes the chat area feel more open and modern.
• Frosted Navigation Headers: The top navigation bar (where the contact name and profile picture are located) now features a frosted glass effect. As you scroll, message bubbles appear to pass underneath the bar with a blurred transparency.
• Dynamic Depth Effects: Interactive elements like menus and buttons now feature subtle shadows and highlights that change slightly as the user interacts with them, giving the app a 3D layered feel.
• Seamless Keyboard Integration: The transition between the chat bar and the iOS keyboard has been smoothed out to create a unified visual experience, removing rigid borders.

3. The Objective Behind the Redesign

Meta’s goal with this update is to ensure WhatsApp remains the most “native-feeling” third-party app on the iPhone. By adopting the iOS 26 SDK and its enhanced transparency protocols, WhatsApp can provide smoother animations and more sophisticated visual effects without compromising the app’s speed or battery efficiency.

4. Rollout Status (May 2026)

The update is being released in a phased manner to ensure stability across different iPhone models:

• Beta Availability: The most advanced transparency features were first tested by beta users throughout late 2025 and early 2026.
• Stable Release: As of May 4, 2026, users on version v26.14.76 have begun seeing the floating chat bar and the updated navigation headers.
• Global Access: While the rollout started in North America and Europe, it is now reaching users in Asia and the Middle East.

Design Comparison: Old vs. New

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Liquid Glass design coming to Android?

While “Liquid Glass” is an iOS-specific trend, WhatsApp often introduces “Material You” transparency effects for Android users to maintain a consistent high-end feel across both platforms.

2. How do I enable the new Liquid Glass look?

There is no specific toggle in the settings. You simply need to keep your WhatsApp updated via the App Store. Once the update is pushed to your region, the interface will change automatically.

3. Does this new design affect battery life?

The design uses native iOS rendering engines, which are highly optimized. You should not notice any significant impact on battery performance or device speed.

4. Will this be available for WhatsApp Business?

Yes. Meta plans to bring the Liquid Glass aesthetic to WhatsApp Business shortly after the standard app rollout is complete to maintain brand consistency across their ecosystem.

Don’t Miss the Next Big Update

Get the Latest Tech Alerts Instantly Master in Design delivers real-time updates on mobile apps, AI, and digital trends.
If you love fast, accurate tech news — you’re in the right place.