WhatsApp is testing a Liquid Glass-style redesign across iPhone and Mac, with phased rollout still incomplete.
WhatsApp is testing a Liquid Glass-style redesign across iPhone and Mac, with the iPhone getting a floating translucent chat bar and the Mac build adding a refreshed composer, updated navigation, new attachment controls, and a locked-chats area that requires authentication. The change is a visual refresh for WhatsApp on iPhone and Mac, tied to iOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe.
Liquid Glass reaches WhatsApp’s iPhone and Mac apps
The main shift is stylistic, but it is not limited to a few color tweaks. WhatsApp is pushing a Liquid Glass look that aims to make the app feel more consistent across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, replacing the flatter interface many users know today. The same interface language should make WhatsApp look more consistent across devices.
The rollout is still partial. On iPhone, some users are already seeing parts of the redesign, while broader availability remains incomplete. The Mac build has no confirmed release window.
Mac sidebar labels, locked chats, and the new composer
The Mac version carries the clearest desktop changes. Sidebar icons now include text labels, which makes the layout more descriptive and easier to scan. The rest of the Mac interface is being refreshed at the same time: WhatsApp is updating the chat composer and attachment controls, and it is giving locked chats a dedicated protected area that requires authentication to open.
The iPhone view: floating chat bar and phased availability
On iPhone, the most visible change is the new floating translucent chat bar, which sits differently from the older flat bottom-bar layout. It is arriving in small waves, and it is not clear how much of it is open to ordinary users versus TestFlight testers at this stage.
The rollout is still partial, and the final interface may change before it reaches a wider audience.
For now, the update covers iPhone and Mac in stages, with some users seeing the new Liquid Glass look before others and the Mac build still without a release window.
Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only.
About the author
Samarth Agrawal is an AI and technology professional who writes about WhatsApp, automation, and emerging AI trends. He focuses on simplifying complex tech updates into practical insights for businesses, creators, and everyday users
