After the tab bar and voice message player, Meta is now tackling the area where WhatsApp users spend most of their time.
WhatsApp has already integrated Apple's Liquid Glass look in several places – albeit much more slowly than many iPhone users expected. Now it's clear where Meta is focusing its efforts next: The source code of the TestFlight beta contains initial indications that the actual chat interface will also receive the glass-like look. This would finally bring what is perhaps the most important screen in the app into line with the new design system.
What WABetaInfo discovered
Although the feature isn't yet available in the public beta, WABetaInfo managed to activate the new look. Visible there is a floating chat input bar and a semi-transparent navigation bar with subtle depth, shadow, and blur effects. These are the typical characteristics of Liquid Glass – the design system that Apple introduced with iOS 26 and has since been gradually rolled out across the system.
This move is logical: WhatsApp already redesigned the bottom navigation bar and parts of the chat tab with a Liquid Glass look last year. The voice message player followed in early 2026. The chat interface now closes one of the biggest remaining gaps in the design concept.
Why the rollout is taking so long
WhatsApp began rolling out its new design to select iOS users as early as October 2025. However, the rollout was significantly slower than expected. Even six months later, many users still see the old look when they open the app. Meta appears to have deliberately slowed the distribution – likely to avoid a fragmented rollout of the new design.
The newly discovered code traces fit this strategy. Instead of just changing the tab bar, WhatsApp is initially expanding the design system to as many areas as possible before making it widely available. So, anyone who's been wondering why their app is still running the old style now has at least one plausible reason: Meta apparently only rolls out the new design to everyone once it's consistent across the entire app.
What Liquid Glass changes in chat
The visual difference to the current design is significant. The chat input bar will now float slightly above the background instead of being fixed to the bottom of the screen. The navigation elements will be semi-transparent, allowing underlying content to show through slightly. In addition, there are the reflections and depth effects typical of Liquid Glass – effects that make the interface appear as if it were made of real glass sheets.
Functionally, this doesn't change anything about the messaging itself. The effect is purely visual, but it's intended to provide greater consistency with the iOS 26 system interface. Those who like Apple's new design system will likely welcome this change. Those critical of Liquid Glass, however, will probably find little enthusiasm in WhatsApp either.
Liquid Glass: When will the rollout happen?
Meta has not yet made an announcement. Since the feature is currently only detectable through code traces and even beta testers cannot officially activate it, it would be premature to assume an imminent release. Meta is likely waiting for the widespread availability of the existing Liquid Glass elements before officially releasing the chat interface. Realistically, activation is only possible once the TestFlight beta enables it – and even then, it will likely only be available to a small group of users initially.
WhatsApp is gradually adapting to iOS 26
The change is small in the code, but big in its effect. With the revamped chat interface, WhatsApp would finally become an app that seamlessly integrates into Apple's new design system. However, Meta's long-term approach also demonstrates that third-party developers need time to fully adopt deeply rooted design languages like Liquid Glass. So, anyone waiting for a major visual overhaul in their chat window should be patient. (Image: Primakov / DepositPhotos.com)
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