WhatsApp Tests Apple's Liquid Glass Design Ahead of iOS 26 Release


WhatsApp Tests Apple's Liquid Glass Design Ahead of iOS 26 Release
  • WhatsApp is experimenting with Apple’s new Liquid Glass design in its iOS beta version.
  • The update introduces translucent visual effects to backgrounds, buttons, and menus.
  • The rollout will be gradual, starting with navigation elements and expanding to other controls.

WhatsApp for iPhone is preparing to bring Apple’s upcoming Liquid Glass design language to its app, as part of the iOS 26 update. This new design style uses translucent materials that reflect and refract surrounding visuals, creating a more dynamic and modern look. WhatsApp is currently testing these effects in its beta version, gearing up for the official iOS 26 launch.

The Liquid Glass design was discovered in WhatsApp Beta version 25.24.10.70, which is compatible with iOS 26. By building the app using Apple’s latest Software Development Kit (SDK), WhatsApp can access new design tools and application programming interfaces (APIs) to refresh its interface. The update aims to apply the Liquid Glass effect to key parts of the app, such as the bottom navigation bar, buttons, and context menus.

Apple’s iOS 26 update also includes improvements to developer frameworks like SwiftUI and UIKit, helping apps like WhatsApp smoothly integrate new visual styles. WhatsApp plans to implement the changes gradually, first updating the main navigation components. After that, other interactive elements will be polished to ensure transparency effects do not affect readability or usability.

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Currently, the Liquid Glass design is still under development and not yet available to public or beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight program. WhatsApp is working carefully to finalize the new look before a full rollout.

This move highlights WhatsApp’s commitment to staying aligned with Apple’s evolving design trends, promising users a fresher and more visually appealing messaging experience once iOS 26 is officially released.