WhatsApp is widely rolling out the full Liquid Glass experience
WhatsApp is finally bringing the full Liquid Glass experience to the chat screen for more iOS users. The update introduces a consistent design to the chat bar, navigation bar, message menu, and message bubbles. For many users who do not have the full Liquid Glass interface yet, this update lets them experience it for the first time.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Full Liquid Glass experience |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp for iOS 26.35.72 on the App Store is a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some users on the App Store version. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned navigation interface for iPad! |
WhatsApp rolled out Liquid Glass to most of the app
In the post about the WhatsApp for iOS 26.14.76 update, we announced that the Liquid Glass design was available to more users. When Liquid Glass is available, the tab bar appears as a floating, semi-transparent element that adapts to the content behind it. However, Liquid Glass is not limited to the tab bar. WhatsApp has applied the same design to the chat list, buttons, and many other elements of the app. WhatsApp has slowly rolled out the compatibility with Liquid Glass to refine the experience before making it available to everyone. Although many users got access to the new design, WhatsApp did not include the chat interface in this wave.
WhatsApp is now extending Liquid Glass to the full chat interface
The WhatsApp for iOS 26.14.76 update allowed many users to experience Liquid Glass, but the conversation screen still had the old design. Finally, WhatsApp is introducing an important update just before Apple launches iOS 27 officially. With the WhatsApp for iOS 26.35.72 update, which is available on the App Store, WhatsApp is bringing the full Liquid Glass experience to iOS users. The update also extends to WhatsApp Business, making both versions of the app consistent with the new design.
The chat bar now floats with a Liquid Glass design
With the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.25.10.16 update, WhatsApp made the chat bar compatible with Liquid Glass. The chat bar floats above the conversation with a translucent, glass-like background that reflects and refracts whatever is behind it. WhatsApp also applied the same design to the button that lets users jump to the latest message in the conversation. The chat bar now looks much closer to the one users already know from iMessage.
The update makes the navigation bar compatible with Liquid Glass
At the top of the chat screen, the navigation bar is now transparent. On iOS 26, the bar lets the wallpaper and messages faintly show through, with a subtle fade effect that keeps the content legible. On iOS 27, Apple is adding an automatic uniform layer behind navigation bars whenever content scrolls behind them. WhatsApp's transparent navigation bar works on iOS 26, and it will continue to be compatible with Liquid Glass on iOS 27.
The reaction tray and context menu are fully compatible with Liquid Glass
WhatsApp is also bringing the Liquid Glass design to the message menu. The WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.35.10.16 update lets some beta testers access the updated reaction tray and context menu. When users tap and hold a message, the reaction tray and the context menu now appear with the same translucent, glass-like background. The conversation remains visible behind the context menu, so users no longer see the blur effect. Both elements adapt to light mode and dark mode, and they are consistent with the chat bar and navigation bar.
Message bubbles are also rounder and more modern
The redesign goes beyond translucency. After installing the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.29.10.70 update, WhatsApp also refreshed message bubbles. They have more rounded corners, giving the chat screen a softer look. Photos, videos, and GIFs no longer show the traditional border around them. As a result, media now appears frameless. These changes finally make the chat screen feel more modern.
Why iOS 27 makes Liquid Glass on WhatsApp especially timely
iOS 27 is close, and it brings important refinements to the Liquid Glass design. WhatsApp worked to complete the Liquid Glass transition before Apple launches iOS 27. Some users on iOS 26 still do not see the full Liquid Glass interface yet, but WhatsApp is finally moving to close that out before iOS 27 arrives. This means that even more users will finally get to experience the full Liquid Glass interface. Users who do not see it yet should not have to wait much longer.
WhatsApp is rolling out the full Liquid Glass experience to more iOS users
The full Liquid Glass chat interface is available to more users who install the latest update from the App Store. Even though this is a wider rollout, there may be some users who still do not see the full Liquid Glass update yet. If the chat interface still looks the same as before, the update will become available to more accounts soon. With iOS 27 set to launch on September 14, WhatsApp may keep extending the Liquid Glass design.
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