WhatsApp continues to adapt the chat interface in its iOS app to the Liquid Glass design. In the iOS 26.35.10.16 beta update available through TestFlight, the emoji reaction panel and context menu that open when a message is long-pressed are being redesigned. The update is being tested on 08.09.2026.
In the new design, the panel and menu feature a semitransparent appearance that reflects the background. While the previous version used a blur effect covering the entire screen, the new structure allows the chat background to be seen behind the menu. Despite the design change, there are no changes to how users react to messages or use the menu; the panel also retains its current position.
WhatsApp had previously made the chat bar and navigation bar transparent. With the latest update, the emoji reaction panel and message menu are also intended to be brought into line with Apple’s modern design language. These changes are said to be aimed at completing the interface transition ahead of iOS 27.
The company is also continuing its work to adapt the drawing editor and video player bar to the Liquid Glass design. The new features are currently being tested in the iOS 26.35.10.16 beta version.
Why it matters
This update represents a step toward improving visual consistency in the interface rather than a functional innovation for iOS users who use message actions in WhatsApp. By allowing the menus to show the chat background, it ensures that the same design language used in other sections of the app that were previously made transparent is also applied here; however, since the way users react and access the menu has not changed, they do not need to learn a new way of using the app. The work on the drawing editor and video player bar shows that the change is part of a broader interface transition that is not limited to a single panel. However, as the features are still in beta, it is unclear when and with the same scope this appearance will be made available to all iOS users.
Background
This is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 27 articles mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the most recent is dated September 8, 2026.