WhatsApp rolling out Liquid Glass revamp to its Mac app - 9to5Mac

What the report says

9to5Mac reports that WhatsApp has begun rolling out a “Liquid Glass” redesign for its Mac app, extending a visual refresh that has already reached the iPhone and iPad versions. The article, by Marcus Mendes and published July 20, 2026, says the change is intended to bring WhatsApp’s desktop experience closer to its mobile and tablet apps.

According to 9to5Mac, citing WABetaInfo, the latest Mac App Store update introduces a redesigned sidebar, revised chat bar elements and changes to the attachment menu. The update also adds separate sidebar areas for locked chats and communities. Locked chats, which previously appeared in the main chat list on Mac, now require authentication before they can be opened, matching the behavior on iPhone. Communities can also be reached directly from the sidebar rather than from within the chat list.

The report notes that WhatsApp’s move toward this design on Apple platforms has been gradual. Testing on iOS reportedly began last October, with a broader iPhone rollout starting about two months before the article. The Mac app began receiving some interface changes last month, and the latest update appears to expand that redesign.

9to5Mac says the rollout is not yet available to all users. WABetaInfo reported that the refreshed Mac interface is currently limited to some accounts and should reach more users in the coming weeks. The change matters for Mac users because it aligns WhatsApp’s desktop interface with Apple’s current design direction and makes privacy- and community-related areas more prominent in the app.