WhatsApp is preparing one of its biggest visual upgrades for iPhone users as it continues expanding its Liquid Glass design across more parts of the app. While the updated style has already started appearing in areas like the chat list and Updates tab, WhatsApp is now working on bringing the same translucent, glass-like appearance directly to the chat interface itself, which includes the chat bar and navigation bar.
WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is currently developing these changes for a future iOS update, with testing still ongoing before beta users gain access.
“WhatsApp is currently testing an enhanced design compatible with Liquid Glass for the chat screen. Although this interface is under development and scheduled for release in a future update, it already aims to further make the app compatible with the Liquid Glass design language.”
This redesign focuses heavily on visual consistency. WhatsApp plans to transform the bottom chat bar into a floating element with translucent effects that reflect and refract background content, making it match Apple’s broader iOS 26 design language. The quick-scroll button for jumping to the latest message will also adopt this softer, frosted appearance.
WhatsApp’s chat screen will better match iOS 26
The navigation bar inside conversations is also getting major changes. Instead of using the older solid design, WhatsApp wants to make this section transparent with subtle fade effects, allowing wallpapers and messages underneath to remain partially visible.
This move pushes WhatsApp closer to a full Liquid Glass rollout, but the company appears cautious about performance. Since the design still has not reached all users, WhatsApp is refining additional interface elements, including the voice note player, before wider deployment.
For now, WhatsApp is clearly taking a gradual approach to avoid stability issues while improving visual polish. Once these refinements are complete, the redesigned chat interface will likely move to beta testers first before expanding to all users.
If successful, this update will give WhatsApp a more modern and cohesive look on iPhone, especially for users already adapting to Apple’s latest interface trends.
