← All stories
● Covered by 1 source · 2 reportsMedium impact1 neutral

WhatsApp Mac app receives Liquid Glass redesign update

🔄 Updated 69d ago — new reporting from 9to5Mac
New to BrevFeed? We gather this story from every outlet covering it into one summary — ranked by real-world impact, not just the latest headline — so you never miss what matters. What is BrevFeed? →

Key points

  • Liquid Glass redesign aligns Mac app with iPhone and iPad versions
  • New sidebar for locked chats and communities
  • Gradual rollout to a limited number of users
  • Liquid Glass testing on iOS began last October.
  • Official wider Liquid Glass rollout on iOS started two months ago.
  • WhatsApp started adapting Mac UI elements last month.
  • WABetaInfo spotted the wider Mac rollout.
  • Mac App Store update introduces redesigned chat bar and attachment menu elements.
  • Locked chats now require authentication on Mac.
  • WhatsApp is testing new message bubbles on iOS.
  • New chat bubbles are more rounded.
  • New bubbles are reaching select users running the latest TestFlight build.

Liquid Glass Redesign Overview

WhatsApp is now implementing its Liquid Glass redesign on the Mac app, a change that mirrors previous updates on iPhone and iPad platforms. This update marks the culmination of efforts that began last October to create a uniform design across WhatsApp's desktop and mobile applications.

New Features in the Mac App Update

The latest update introduces a revamped sidebar featuring dedicated sections for locked chats and communities. Previously, locked chats were mixed in the main chat list; now they require authentication, similar to the mobile app. Communities can be accessed directly from the sidebar, improving user navigation and functionality.

Timeline and Future Rollout Plans

WhatsApp's transition to the Liquid Glass design on desktop was initiated with preliminary tests last year, followed by a more extensive rollout beginning two months ago. As with prior updates, the new interface will first be available to a limited user base, with broader access expected in the coming weeks.

Impact on User Experience

This redesign not only aligns the desktop and mobile versions visually but also enhances functionality by streamlining access to key features like locked chats and communities. Such consistency in design is critical for user experience as it minimizes confusion across platforms.

Updates

🕒 2026-07-24 · new reporting from 9to5Mac
  • Liquid Glass testing on iOS began last October.
  • Official wider Liquid Glass rollout on iOS started two months ago.
  • WhatsApp started adapting Mac UI elements last month.
  • WABetaInfo spotted the wider Mac rollout.
  • Mac App Store update introduces redesigned chat bar and attachment menu elements.
  • Locked chats now require authentication on Mac.
  • WhatsApp is testing new message bubbles on iOS.
  • New chat bubbles are more rounded.
  • New bubbles are reaching select users running the latest TestFlight build.

✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →

The daily brief

One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.

One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.

Today's brief

Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.

~34 min · 27 stories · Oct 02

▶ Play today's brief Listen on Spotify

New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.

How outlets covered it

WhatsApp is testing a visual update for its iOS app that introduces more rounded chat bubbles and a cleaner display for media and links within conversations. This change follows the recent Liquid Glass redesign and aims to align the app's aesthetic more closely with iOS design conventions.

WhatsApp is rolling out its Liquid Glass redesign to its Mac app, aligning it with iPhone and iPad versions. The update features a redesigned sidebar, added sections for locked chats and communities, enhancing consistency across platforms.