WhatsApp is introducing a striking new look for iPhone users — the Liquid Glass design, a visual update inspired by Apple’s evolving interface language. The redesign represents one of the app’s most refined visual shifts to date, giving WhatsApp a more fluid, layered, and dynamic appearance.
The new design quietly arrived with WhatsApp version 25.28.75, which is now available on the App Store. Though Meta hasn’t issued an official announcement, users have begun noticing translucent elements, smoother animations, and new interactive effects that respond to motion and color changes on screen.
The tab bar is where the change is most visible — it now features Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic, with a semi-transparent background that dynamically adapts to the color of the app’s chat wallpaper and the iPhone’s light or dark mode. The effect gives the interface a depth and softness that blends seamlessly with iOS 26’s visual identity.
Beyond looks, the update also brings new functional improvements, including:
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Support for Live Photos within chats.
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On-device translation for incoming and outgoing messages.
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Writing suggestions integrated directly into the message composer.
These updates underline WhatsApp’s growing alignment with Apple’s native frameworks, especially as iOS 26 deepens integration between third-party apps and system-level AI features.
Gradual Rollout to iPhone Users
Meta began testing the Liquid Glass interface in its beta channel last month, but the visual overhaul is now reaching more users through a staged public rollout. Not every device will see the change immediately — the company often deploys UI updates gradually to minimize bugs and ensure compatibility across older hardware.
The latest WhatsApp build are the first to experience the new look. For everyone else, the update will arrive automatically over the next few weeks.
The company’s release notes confirm that “some new features may take several weeks to appear for all users,” suggesting that the Liquid Glass redesign is being deployed server-side as well as through app updates.
Embracing Apple’s Design Evolution
The move marks a rare moment of close aesthetic alignment between Meta and Apple, two companies that often take different design philosophies. Apple’s Liquid Glass replaces flat, opaque layers with fluid transparency and depth — a direction that makes digital interfaces feel lighter and more tactile.
For WhatsApp, adopting that look helps it feel native to the iPhone again. Many users have noted that the new version looks more cohesive with other iOS apps like Messages, FaceTime, and Mail, all of which share similar translucent surfaces and motion effects.
By integrating Apple’s visual system while maintaining WhatsApp’s recognizable layout — the green chat bubbles, tab navigation, and signature icons — Meta seems to be striking a balance between modernization and familiarity.
Why the Change Matters
While the Liquid Glass update might look like a purely cosmetic refresh, it represents something larger for WhatsApp’s future on iOS. The design lays the groundwork for deeper system integration, especially as Apple opens up new APIs for live translation, voice input, and adaptive keyboard suggestions.
For users, this means that WhatsApp is becoming not just a cross-platform messaging app, but a more iOS-native experience — smoother animations, reduced visual clutter, and better performance.
It’s also a signal that Meta is paying close attention to Apple’s design trajectory. WhatsApp’s updates over the past year have shown steady refinements: redesigned chat filters, richer media previews, and subtle typography changes to match Apple’s San Francisco font family.
The Liquid Glass design will continue to roll out globally through incremental updates in the coming weeks. Users who haven’t received it yet should ensure they’re running the latest version from the App Store and check for background app refresh settings that allow server-side updates.
For iPhone users, though, WhatsApp’s new look feels like a breath of fresh air — transparent, refined, and perfectly in tune with Apple’s latest aesthetic.
