WhatsApp is extending its Liquid Glass interface redesign to the iPad through a beta test, following the wider rollout on iPhone last month and ongoing work for Mac. The update brings a more consistent visual language across Apple platforms, incorporating translucent elements, fluid animations, and adaptive navigation that align with modern design trends on iPadOS.
The most noticeable changes appear in the bottom tab bar, which now floats above the content with a semi-transparent, frosted appearance rather than sitting flush against the screen edge. At the top, the navigation bar becomes progressively more transparent as users scroll through chat lists, allowing underlying content to show through. Buttons and context menus adopt the same glassy aesthetic, responding with smooth animations on interaction. A floating chats sidebar further adapts the layout to larger iPad screens, improving navigation in the tablet environment.
This development continues WhatsApp’s gradual modernization effort. The Liquid Glass concept first emerged on iOS last October, with broader availability only recently. On Mac, beta testing has included a refreshed sidebar with icon labels, an updated chat input area, a new attachment menu, and a dedicated section for locked chats. While these changes aim for cohesion, they also reflect platform-specific adjustments, such as accommodating iPad multitasking and the larger display real estate.
Meta’s pace on these updates has been methodical, with limited beta access initially expanding over weeks. The company has not yet detailed a full rollout timeline for the iPad version, leaving many users waiting for stable availability. Such staggered introductions are common in cross-platform apps, allowing for testing and refinement before wider deployment. However, they can also create fragmentation for users across devices who expect immediate consistency.
The Liquid Glass approach draws from broader interface trends emphasizing translucency, depth, and responsiveness, seen in various operating system updates. It offers a polished feel that can enhance perceived performance through visual feedback, though some may find the frosted effects distracting or overly stylized depending on lighting conditions and content. For iPad users, the floating elements and adaptive bars represent a step toward better utilization of tablet strengths compared to phone-centric designs that sometimes feel stretched onto larger screens.
As messaging apps evolve, visual refreshes like this serve both functional and competitive purposes, helping maintain engagement in a crowded market. WhatsApp’s focus on Apple platforms highlights the importance of native integration, particularly as iPadOS continues to mature with features that blur lines between portable and desktop-like experiences. The beta availability suggests further polishing is likely before public release, with potential adjustments based on user feedback.
For those in the beta program, the changes bring a fresher look that aligns the iPad app more closely with recent iPhone updates. Others can expect the interface to arrive more broadly in the coming weeks, contributing to a more unified experience across WhatsApp’s Apple ecosystem presence.
