February 18, 2026, 10:20 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Since the release of iOS 26 in June 2025, the iPhone’s user interface has featured the so-called Liquid Glass look. This design is characterized by transparency effects, such as translucent surfaces, and smooth animations.
Many developers have since adapted their apps to this new aesthetic. WhatsApp has so far stuck with its familiar design, even though the messenger has been working on a transition for some time. However, there are now concrete indications that this could soon change.
New Navigation Looks Like Glass
According to “WABetaInfo,” early users of the WhatsApp Business app on the iPhone are seeing the new design. The interface appears more transparent and dynamic. Controls seem to float, and animations run more smoothly. This makes the app blend more seamlessly with the current iOS design. The newly designed navigation bar is particularly striking. It looks like a glass element that clearly stands out from the rest of the interface. When you switch between tabs, it responds more fluidly than before.
Not only has the navigation been adjusted, but input fields and the keyboard also show slight transparency effects. They adapt more closely to the background of each chat. Context menus and buttons also adopt the glass look. Overall, the app appears more modern and subtle. However, the basic operating concept remains unchanged.
Launch in the Regular App Draws Closer
That WhatsApp is working on the transition is not new. As early as October 2025, a Liquid Glass-style interface appeared in the regular WhatsApp app as part of the closed beta program. However, a wide release did not occur at that time. The current discovery has now been made in the regular version of WhatsApp Business. This suggests that the launch of the new design in the regular app is drawing closer.
Also of interest: Urgently Disable Automatic Downloads on WhatsApp
A specific date for the introduction has not yet been set. While the new design can be partially forced by deleting and re-creating your account, this step is risky. Without prior backup, all chat histories will be lost. Photos, videos, and documents not saved separately will also be gone. These data cannot be recovered afterward. Therefore, you should not delete your account just for the new design. It is safer to wait for the official launch.