WhatsApp launches a new design for message bubbles on iOS
WhatsApp is rolling out a new design for message bubbles on iOS, making the chat interface softer and more modern. Message bubbles are rounder than before, and shared media files appear without the traditional borders. The update joins the Liquid Glass changes that already refreshed the chat interface last month.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | New message bubble design |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.29.10.70 is a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Borja and Akan, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp may upgrade two-step verification with a password! |
WhatsApp was working on a new design for message bubbles on iOS
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.18.10.71 update, we announced a refreshed design for message bubbles. The new design would have introduced fully rounded corners, giving the chat interface a softer and more modern look. We also reported that shared media like photos, videos, and GIFs will appear without the traditional bubble borders. These changes would make the chat screen feel lighter and less rigid than it does today.
WhatsApp is introducing the new design for message bubbles on iOS
At that time, the feature was under development. WhatsApp worked on refining the design over the following months. But now, the new design is finally making its way to some beta testers. This is the news we discovered with the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.29.10.70 update, which is available on TestFlight. Specifically, WhatsApp is rolling out a new design for message bubbles that gives the chat interface a more modern look.
What the new message bubbles look like
The attached image shows both designs side by side. You can see the old design on the left and the new one on the right. With this image, you can immediately notice the difference between these two designs. The current bubbles have slightly rounded corners, but they still retain a fairly defined and structured outline. Instead, the new bubbles take that much further, and their corners are significantly more rounded with a softer shape. The result looks noticeably closer to the bubble style used in iMessage, which many iPhone users are already familiar with. In addition, it perfectly aligns with the recent Liquid Glass update for the chat interface.
Photos and videos go frameless in conversations
The redesign also changes how shared media files appear in the conversation. Photos, videos, and GIFs no longer show the traditional bubble border around them. WhatsApp still displays media in a bubble-like shape, but without the borders. This gives the design a cleaner look, even to link messages. With this update, media feels more integrated into the flow of the conversation.
Group chats and forwarded messages work slightly differently
The frameless style does not apply in every situation. For example, WhatsApp shows a small header above photos or videos in group chats that identifies who sent them. The same applies to forwarded messages, where the header indicates that the message was originally shared from another chat. Because this header is still present, the media always has context above it to show who sent the message and how. In these cases, the frameless look only applies partially, since the header remains visible above the media.
Why WhatsApp is updating the bubble design
The current bubble design on WhatsApp for iOS has not changed much in years. WhatsApp has introduced many chat themes in the past, but the bubble design never changed. As other messaging apps updated their interface, the chat screen on WhatsApp started to feel a little dated by comparison. The new design brings the app more in line with what users expect from a modern messaging experience on iPhone. Rounder bubbles and frameless media are small changes, but they finally make the chat screen feel more polished. As a result, the new design makes the chat interface feel more modern.
WhatsApp is rolling out the new design to some beta testers on iOS
The new message bubble design is currently available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp update from TestFlight. The same design is also available to channel updates. Note that some users on the latest stable version from the App Store may also notice the new design. If the new design does not appear yet, it should become available to more accounts over the coming weeks.
Connect with WABetaInfo
Follow WABetaInfo on X and visit our About page to learn more about what we do. We always appreciate your feedback on posts like this one.