WhatsApp is bringing its Liquid Glass design system to Mac, the visual overhaul that debuted on iPhone last October and reached iPad just weeks ago. The update, in development since early June, introduces a modernised sidebar with text labels, a refreshed chat bar, an updated attachment menu, and a dedicated locked chats section with authentication. This represents the third and final major Apple platform to receive the redesign, closing an eight-month gap between iPhone and Mac rollout timelines.
As reported by WABetaInfo, the staggered approach reflects how WhatsApp manages design updates across platforms. Although the underlying codebase is shared between iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, WhatsApp deploys each version separately to monitor stability and catch bugs before wider release. iPhone received Liquid Glass in limited testing in October 2025, then expanded to a broader audience in May 2026. iPad testing began in late June 2026, roughly six weeks after iPhone’s wider rollout.
Sidebar Text Labels and Privacy Features
The sidebar redesign is the most visible change. Currently, WhatsApp’s Mac sidebar displays only icons, making navigation minimal for users unfamiliar with the app. The updated version shows both icons and text labels beside each entry, providing clearer visual cues for each section. This prioritises user clarity over strict adherence to Apple’s design trends.
On iPhone, locked chats live in a separate, Face ID-protected section distinct from the main list. Mac users currently see locked chats directly in the standard chat list with no special protection. The macOS update moves locked chats into a dedicated sidebar entry requiring authentication, matching iPhone’s privacy standard.
The attachment menu aligns with iOS 26 design conventions, and the chat bar receives minor refinements to complete the visual refresh.
The update is currently rolling out to WhatsApp Mac users who have downloaded it from the Mac App Store as well as select beta testers. Not all users have it yet so you’ll have to wait for the gradual roll-out to complete. Once everyone gets the updates design on Mac, it will put all iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, on the same design language. Better late than never!
