WhatsApp has been gradually introducing a fresh visual identity called Liquid Glass, first seen on the main Chats screen. Now, Meta is extending this revamped look to the in-chat interface. This Q&A breaks down everything you need to know about the rollout, the design changes, and what users can expect.
What exactly is Liquid Glass?
Liquid Glass is a modern design language developed by Meta that emphasizes transparency, light effects, and fluid motion. Think of it as a glassy, frosted overlay that adds depth without overwhelming the content. In WhatsApp, this means chat bubbles, headers, and navigation elements adopt a semi-transparent, glossy finish. It's not just a coat of paint—the update also tweaks spacing, color gradients, and iconography to create a more cohesive, mobile-first experience. The name comes from the way UI elements appear to shift and blend like liquid glass under different lighting conditions.
Why is the rollout happening so slowly?
Meta has a history of implementing visual overhauls in phases, often starting with beta testers on Android and iOS before wider availability. The glacially-paced nature of the Liquid Glass rollout can be attributed to several factors: intensive A/B testing to evaluate user reactions, compatibility checks across older devices, and fine-tuning performance to prevent battery drain or lag. Additionally, Meta wants to ensure that the new look doesn't break any existing accessibility features, such as voice-over or high-contrast modes. Each stage—from main Chats screen to in-chat interface—requires separate optimization, hence the deliberate tempo.
Is the in-chat interface getting the same treatment as the main screen?
Yes, but the adaptations differ slightly. On the main Chats screen, Liquid Glass appears in the background gradient, the search bar, and the floating action button. In the in-chat interface, the change is more granular: incoming and outgoing message bubbles gain a translucent, layered look, the chat header becomes more transparent to let wallpaper colors shine through, and the attachment menu adopts a blur effect. Meta is also adjusting the keyboard area to maintain readability. The core design philosophy—translucency and light reflectance—remains consistent, but the implementation is tailored to a space where text and media dominate.
When can we expect the in-chat update to arrive?
As of now, Meta has not announced a specific release date. Based on previous patterns, the in-chat Liquid Glass update will first appear in beta versions of WhatsApp (typically on Google Play Beta Program and TestFlight for iOS). After a testing period of several weeks to months, it will roll out to stable builds. Given that the main Chats screen rollout started in early 2024 and is still reaching many users, the in-chat phase might not land until late 2025 or early 2026. Users eager to preview it can join the beta channel, though availability is limited by region and device.
Will Liquid Glass affect performance or battery life?
Meta has optimized the new visual style to run efficiently on modern smartphones. The transparency and blur effects use hardware acceleration (GPU) so they don't strain the CPU. On older devices, however, users might notice slight stutter when scrolling through heavy media chats. Battery impact is minimal because the effects are rendered only when the screen is active and refresh at low power during static states. WhatsApp also includes a fallback mode for devices that lack sufficient GPU support—the interface reverts to a simpler, solid-color design. Overall, the performance hit is negligible for most users, especially those with devices released in the last three years.
Can I disable Liquid Glass if I don't like it?
Currently, WhatsApp does not offer an explicit toggle to switch back to the classic look. Meta treats visual updates as part of the core experience. However, users can influence the appearance through system-level settings: enabling dark mode often reduces the translucency effect, and on Android, you can adjust the developer options to reduce animation scales. Some third-party launchers or themes might override WhatsApp's styling, but that's not officially supported. If the community response is strongly negative, Meta could add a legacy theme option—though that's speculative. For now, the best advice is to give the new design a few days; many users find the glassy aesthetic grows on them once they adjust.