WhatsApp is testing a new Liquid Glass interface for the Mac app
WhatsApp is working on bringing the Liquid Glass design language and a new interface to the Mac app in the future. This update will make the design more consistent, modern, and aligned with macOS 26 Tahoe.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Liquid Glass for Mac |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | Liquid Glass for Mac is currently in development, and it is not available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out Channel Status on Android and iOS! |
WhatsApp reshapes the chat interface with Liquid Glass on iOS
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.17.10.70 update, we announced a feature that brings the Liquid Glass design to the chat interface. This feature will introduce translucent effects and a modern interface that follow the Apple's new design language. In particular, WhatsApp is working on updating the chat bar to make it fully compatible with the Liquid Glass interface. The navigation bar within the chat screen will also receive an update as users scroll through the conversation. These improvements will make the chat interface look more modern and updated.
WhatsApp to extend Liquid Glass design to iPad and Mac
Some users may be wondering whether WhatsApp also plans to bring Liquid Glass to the iPad and Mac apps. The answer is yes. Since the same app code is used on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, WhatsApp is working to ensure that Liquid Glass is correctly implemented on these operating systems. This means that WhatsApp will finally extend the new design language to both iPad and Mac in the future.
WhatsApp still keeps Mac and iPad on the older design system
Currently, WhatsApp doesn't support Liquid Glass on Mac and iPad. Although WhatsApp has rolled out Liquid Glass on WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business for iPhone, this design is still not available on the desktop and tablet versions. This means the experience on macOS and iPadOS is different from the updated interface available on iPhone. This causes a noticeable inconsistency compared to other apps that already support Liquid Glass.
WhatsApp to unify its design language on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
In a future update, WhatsApp will finally align this design foundation on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This means that the interface on iPad and Mac will be brought closer in style to the updated design on iPhone. With this update, WhatsApp will offer a more consistent experience with Liquid Glass regardless of the device being used. So users will finally notice a more unified look on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Even the chat bar, context menu, and buttons will follow the same design language.
WhatsApp to rework the Mac app with a redesigned sidebar and updated chat tools
Beyond adopting Liquid Glass, WhatsApp is also focusing on revising the Mac app to make the interface more modern. In particular, WhatsApp is working on introducing a redesigned sidebar. At the moment, the sidebar only displays tab icons. This layout makes the interface minimal and less descriptive. In a future update, WhatsApp plans to improve the sidebar by showing both icons and text labels. As a result, users will be able to experiment with a clearer navigation experience. The chat list remains unchanged, so users will continue to see their conversations in the same familiar layout. In the chat screen, WhatsApp will redesign both the chat bar and the attachment menu to align with the Liquid Glass design language.
WhatsApp to improve privacy on Mac with a dedicated locked chats section
WhatsApp will also support a new feature right within the sidebar, as part of the Liquid Glass-compatible update. Specifically, WhatsApp will introduce a new entry point that lets users access the list of their locked chats. At the moment, locked chats are directly visible within the chat list on Mac. On iPhone, they are stored in a separate section protected by Face ID. This difference creates a privacy gap between the two apps. To address this, WhatsApp plans to move locked chats into a dedicated section on Mac as well. Additionally, access to this screen will require user authentication to ensure privacy.
Liquid Glass for WhatsApp is under development on Mac
The Liquid Glass design for Mac is currently under development, and it will be available in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp keeps refining the app to ensure it is fully compatible with the new Liquid Glass language. Once testing is complete, WhatsApp will roll out the new interface to some users, making the updated design experience available.
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