WhatsApp is activating Apple's new visual language on iPhone, Liquid glass, an aesthetic based on transparencies, reflections and layers that seeks a more natural integration with iOS 26. The application does not change its structure, but it does refine surfaces, menus and animations to offer a more natural appearance. cleaner and more coherent with the system.
The update is rolling out in phases to a small group of users with version 25.28.75, both in beta (TestFlight) and on some stable channel profiles. This is a server-controlled activation, so even if you have the app up to date, may take when the new look appears.
What changes in WhatsApp design with Liquid Glass
The novelty is especially noticeable in the relationship between windows and background: Leaves, panels, and modals are layered with a glassy effect that reveals the underlying content, blurred to preserve legibility. This language provides a more polished look and a feeling of depth when moving around the app.
WhatsApp adopts adaptive translucency and small reflections, so that surfaces respond to what's behind them without compromising text clarity. Overall, the interface conveys a subtle aesthetic. more modern without being strident.
The top bar also gains prominence: it's now partially translucent and shows the chat behind it, very blurred, reinforcing the idea of ​​glass. Despite this, the priority remains on key elements. are easy to read.
There's no reordering of buttons or drastic changes to lists or chats: the familiar structure remains the same. What changes is the visual treatment of layers, borders, and transitions, with smoother animations and a finish in line with iOS 26.
Bottom bar, buttons and keyboard
The bottom tab bar adopts a crystal aesthetic with rounded edges and a tab indicator in the form of translucent drop when selected. This drop, with its slight reflections, helps the bar appear as an element floating above the content.
The in-app keyboard has a subtly translucent and slightly reflective finish, better matching the chat background. The system's buttons and controls blend seamlessly with the rest of the interface thanks to soft shapes and materials that mimic the texture. glass.
The result is a sense of visual cohesion: the look & feel changes, but without affecting how you navigate through conversations, calls, or settings; they are aesthetic improvements designed to make everything feel more harmonic with iOS.
A design with readability adjustments
Since the first betas of iOS 26, Apple has been modulating the intensity of Liquid Glass after criticisms for readability in certain scenes. With the latest tweaks, WhatsApp inherits a more balanced effect: there is transparency, but the priority falls on the text and the clarity of the controls.
Availability and requirements
The implementation is gradual: WhatsApp is enabling server-side Liquid Glass on select accounts. Various reports, including those of BetaInfo, confirm that the new feature is now available in version 25.28.75 for both TestFlight testers and some stable channel users.
To qualify for the redesign you need to have your iPhone in iOS 26 and WhatsApp updated to version 25.28.75 or higher. Even if both requirements are met, the interface may take a while days or weeks to be applied to your account.
There is no switch in the settings to enable it: as it is a controlled change, its availability depends on activation from the servers WhatsApp.
How to force its arrival on your iPhone
Update your iPhone to iOS 26 and go to the App Store to install the latest version of WhatsApp (ideally, 25.28.75). Then, close the app completely and reopen it to force it to reload. interface.
Check if the tab bar, header, and buttons have changed: if everything remains the same, it's most likely that your account is not yet included in the current wave and tap wait to the next batch of activations.
When activated, you will immediately notice the rounded bottom bar with a glass effect, a teardrop-shaped indicator, smoother animations, and a translucent keyboard finish within chats.
This redesign doesn't change the way you use WhatsApp, but it does provide a more modern look that's in line with the iOS visual language. For those who value consistency between system and third-party apps, the experience feels more polished.
With Liquid Glass, WhatsApp adopts controlled transparencies, discreet reflections and smooth animations that modernize the app on iPhone; the rollout continues in stages in iOS 26 and, although it doesn't reach everyone at once, it's enough to keep the app updated and be patient to enjoy the new cool.
