The upcoming iOS 26 update marks the most significant design shift in the iPhone operating system in a decade. Apple unveiled iOS 26 and it’s revamped interface at WWDC 2025 this past June, signaling changes not only for Apple’s native applications and the OS interface but also for third-party apps.

WhatsApp is among the first in line for a makeover. Recent beta versions of the messaging application indicate a complete design overhaul, adopting Apple’s new ‘Liquid Glass’ aesthetic. this update promises a distinct look and feel for menus and all WhatsApp elements, offering users a fresh experience.

WhatsApp Adapts iOS 26’s ‘Liquid Glass’ Design

Image via: Wabetainfo.

‘Liquid Glass’, Apple’s new design philosophy for iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating systems, emphasizes transparency. Interface elements will feature a crystal-like appearance, interacting with the screen’s content in a manner reminiscent of glass resting on a surface.

“The update to iOS 26 will reach all compatible iPhones this month, a few days after the presentation of the iPhone 17 on September 9.”

While all of Apple’s native applications will incorporate the ‘Liquid Glass’ design upon the arrival of iOS 26, the company has also provided design apis to enable developers to integrate ‘Liquid Glass’ into their own applications. WhatsApp is already leveraging these tools, according to Wabetainfo, with initial beta versions showcasing the app’s imminent transformation on iPhones.

Image via: wabetainfo.

As illustrated in the provided images, whatsapp’s ‘Liquid Glass’ design embraces the transparency effects characteristic of iOS 26. The elements within the lower bar of WhatsApp’s main screen now exhibit a crystal-like appearance. One beta version has even removed the communities access button, replacing it with a search button for the entire app, mirroring a feature found in some Apple applications.

It remains uncertain whether the final version of WhatsApp for iOS 26 will retain direct access to the communities feature currently included in the app.

The WhatsApp design, inspired by iOS 26, represents not only a significant aesthetic change but also ensures coherence and harmony with the overall operating system, providing users with a more unified experience.

The iOS 26 update is slated to arrive on all compatible iPhones this month, shortly after the iPhone 17’s expected unveiling on september 9. The ‘Liquid Glass’ version of WhatsApp may take slightly longer to materialize; however, the update with the new interface is anticipated to be available in the coming weeks.