WhatsApp Refreshes Message Menu with New Liquid Glass Design

Ender Öztürk

September 7, 2026

WhatsApp is officially enhancing its user interface on iOS 26 by introducing a sophisticated new design language known as Liquid Glass. This visual update, currently appearing in the latest TestFlight beta versions, marks a significant shift in how users interact with the message menu and reaction interface. By replacing the previous opaque, full-screen blur effect with a modern, semi-transparent layer, the messaging giant aims to create a more cohesive and immersive experience. This update ensures that the chat background remains visible even when context menus are open, aligning the application’s aesthetic with the latest standards of modern mobile operating systems.

Visual Elements Undergo Significant Transformation

The core philosophy behind the Liquid Glass design is to reduce visual clutter and improve the depth perception of the application. Previously, selecting a message would trigger a solid, full-screen blur that effectively isolated the menu from the ongoing conversation. With the new implementation, the message menu behaves as a natural extension of the chat interface rather than an intrusive, detached pop-up window.

This transition toward translucency allows for a seamless visual flow. When a user interacts with the reaction tray or context menus, they no longer feel as though they have left the chat room. Instead, the interface elements sit gracefully atop the conversation. Despite these drastic visual improvements, the underlying functionality remains identical to the current stable version of the app. Users can continue to utilize existing reaction shortcuts and interaction patterns without needing to learn a new workflow.

Design Language Adapts to Display Modes

A critical component of this update is how the Liquid Glass interface dynamically responds to system-wide settings. The new reaction tray is engineered to adjust its opacity and color profiles based on whether the iPhone is in Light Mode or Dark Mode. In Light Mode, the menu adopts a softer, lighter translucent aesthetic, while Dark Mode utilizes deeper, more subtle gradients that blend into the chat background.

This ensures that the interface remains legible and aesthetically pleasing across all environments. By focusing on the interplay between light and transparency, WhatsApp is creating a more unified look that feels native to the iOS ecosystem. The consistency of these design elements suggests that the platform is moving toward a more polished and professional visual identity that transcends simple color swapping.

Future Updates Enhance Other Interface Areas

The ambition behind the Liquid Glass initiative extends well beyond the messaging menus. Reports indicate that WhatsApp engineers are actively testing this design language for other core sections of the application, including the drawing editor and the video playback interface. These areas are expected to receive similar updates to ensure that the entire user journey feels unified and modern.

While these interface refinements are currently limited to beta testers, the community response has been largely positive. As the platform prepares to roll out these changes to the broader public, users can look forward to a more fluid and visually integrated experience across their devices. The exact timeline for a global release remains undisclosed, but the progress in beta testing suggests that these features will arrive in upcoming stable updates.

We are curious to hear your thoughts on this visual shift; does the new transparent Liquid Glass design make WhatsApp feel more modern to you, or do you prefer the classic opaque interface? Share your opinions in the comments section below.