WhatsApp is getting a new look on iPhone. After months of limited testing Meta has begun pushing its Liquid Glass redesign to a wider pool of iOS users and the response online has been immediate.
The new design was first introduced in October last year as a small-scale experiment focused on the app's bottom navigation bar and some elements of the Chats tab interface. It stayed that way for a while. Now it is moving beyond that early test group.
Several users recently took to X to report that they had started seeing the updated interface on their devices. The posts confirmed what many had been waiting for. The broader rollout was underway.
So what actually looks different? The new design is currently visible in the bottom navigation bar, some in-chat elements and the top navigation bar of the main Chats interface. It also displays the iOS 26 keyboard. The overall feel is cleaner and more modern compared to what WhatsApp has looked like for years.
Not everything has been updated yet. Certain UI elements like the voice message player and the message reactions menu, are still using the old design. Those areas will likely follow in future updates.
Since the initial test, Meta has been working on adapting the Liquid Glass design for other UI elements including the voice message player, in-chat interface, message reactions and context menus. The groundwork has clearly been laid. It is now a matter of when rather than if.
A full and consistent Liquid Glass experience across the entire app still appears to be in progress. But for iPhone users who have been waiting on a visual refresh, this is a meaningful first step. Keep an eye on your app updates.