WhatsApp ‘Liquid Glass’ Interface Expanded to iPhone Users with iOS 26 Visual Overhaul

WhatsApp has commenced a broad rollout of its new "Liquid Glass" interface for iPhone users, marking a significant aesthetic transition for the messaging platform. The update, inspired by Apple’s latest iOS 26 design language, introduces a translucent and layered visual style that replaces the traditional flat UI. After initial testing on the WhatsApp Business app, the refreshed look is now reaching a wider audience across both standard and business versions of the application.

The redesign focuses on depth and dimensionality, utilizing real-time rendering to create a "floating" effect for key navigation elements. The update aims to establish greater harmony between the app’s software and Apple’s modern hardware, specifically the rounded displays of the latest iPhone models. Meta Faces Legal Challenge From Australian Businessman Andrew Forrest Over Deepfake Crypto Scam Ads in US Court.

WhatsApp's Liquid Glass Tab Bar

The most immediate indicator that the update has arrived on a device is the redesigned bottom tab bar. In the Liquid Glass version, the navigation bar no longer sits as a fixed, opaque strip at the bottom of the screen. Instead, it appears as a semi-transparent, frosted glass element that hovers above the chat interface.

This semi-translucent finish allows background content to faintly refraction through the bar as users scroll. The selected tab also visually adapts to the surrounding content, creating a dynamic depth effect that is particularly noticeable when switching between the "Chats," "Calls," and "Settings" menus.

Redesigned Interactive Elements and Keyboard

Beyond the navigation bar, the Liquid Glass update extends to the app’s interactive components. Buttons, switches, and sliders have been updated to feature a "soft frosted" look, mirroring the material design seen throughout iOS 26. These elements respond to touch with fluid animations, enhancing the overall tactile feel of the application.

The context menus—the pop-ups that appear when long-pressing a message—now also align with this aesthetic. They carry a translucent background that subtly mirrors the colours of the chat behind them. Additionally, the system keyboard has been updated with softer edges and increased transparency, making the transition from typing to viewing content feel more integrated.

Compatibility and Gradual Rollout

The Liquid Glass interface is compatible with both light and dark modes, intelligently adapting its transparency and specular highlights based on the user's system settings. While the rollout has intensified following the release of the latest WhatsApp for iOS version 26.14.76, the company clarified that the feature is being enabled in phases to monitor performance and visual consistency.

Users are encouraged to update their application via the App Store to the latest version to access the new design. If the floating tab bar does not appear immediately after the update, it indicates that the feature has not yet been activated for that specific account on the server side.

The Shift Toward Glass-Like UI

The "Liquid Glass" design language was first introduced by Apple in 2025 as a unifying material for all its major operating systems. It draws inspiration from the depth effects found in visionOS, the operating system for Apple’s spatial computing headsets. Netflix iPhone App To Get Vertical Video Option by End of Month: Report.

By adopting this style, WhatsApp joins a growing list of third-party applications moving away from the "flat design" era toward a more immersive, "glassmorphic" interface. Future updates are expected to bring similar Liquid Glass refinements to the WhatsApp audio player and call interface to ensure UI consistency across the entire platform.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 17, 2026 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).