WhatsApp Expands Liquid Glass Redesign in iOS TestFlight Builds

WhatsApp’s “Liquid Glass” redesign for iOS entered a new phase in the most recent TestFlight build. The beta now shows a refreshed reaction tray with a solid, opaque background and a revised context-menu for individual messages that uses a simpler, limited-transparency style. These changes extend earlier updates that applied the design language to navigation bars and the voice-message player.

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Apple introduced the “Liquid Glass” design language with iOS 26. In the year prior to the article (2025), Meta rolled out a small-scale test of the look on the bottom navigation bar and parts of the Chats tab. Early 2026 saw the voice-message player receive a similar makeover. In May 2026, the TestFlight build added the updated reaction tray and message-level context menus.

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The updated reaction tray now displays a solid, opaque background, while the message context menu uses a simpler background with limited transparency. According to the source, these elements appear visually inconsistent with other parts of the app that have already adopted the new design language.

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Meta has not issued a public comment on the specific beta changes. The company’s pattern of releasing incremental UI updates through TestFlight suggests a staged approach, but no official rollout schedule has been disclosed, leaving the timeline for public release uncertain.

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• “WhatsApp is continuing its Liquid Glass redesign on iOS, with the latest TestFlight build revealing work on updated message reactions and context menus.” — 9to5Mac, Tech News Site

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• “Liquid Glass revamp continues in beta ahead of broader rollout Last year, following the release of iOS 26, Meta rolled out a small-scale test of the Liquid Glass look applied to the official app’s bottom navigation bar and to some elements of its Chats tab interface.” — 9to5Mac

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• “Now, WABetaInfo reports that Meta is preparing the same treatment for two more parts of the chat experience: message reactions and context menus.” — 9to5Mac

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• “Although the context menu has already been refreshed with the Liquid Glass design in the chat list, the context menu for messages uses a simpler background style with limited transparency effects.” — 9to5Mac

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Meta is expected to keep testing Liquid Glass elements in upcoming TestFlight releases. The continued appearance of the design in beta builds suggests a public rollout could arrive in the near future, though no official schedule has been announced.

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