WhatsApp is now rolling out a new design called Liquid Glass to Mac users. Because of this, the Mac app finally looks and feels close to WhatsApp on iPhone and iPad.
This change first showed up in WhatsApp for Mac version 26.27.73, now live on the App Store listing. Not every user has it yet, so don’t worry if your app still looks the same. It should reach your device over the next few weeks.
This update matters for one simple reason. Mac was the only WhatsApp app still waiting for this new look. Apple first brought Liquid Glass to macOS Tahoe. WhatsApp then added it to iPhone. iPad came next. Now, Mac is finally catching up.
In short, Liquid Glass is a light, see-through style. It lets a hint of your desktop show through the app. Apple built this look so apps feel calm and open, rather than flat and boxy. Many apps have picked it up since it first launched, and WhatsApp is one of the bigger names to join in.
Table of Contents
A Cleaner Look for the Sidebar
The sidebar is where you will notice the biggest change. Before this update, it only showed small icons. There were no labels. So new users often had to guess what each icon meant.
Now, every tab shows an icon and a word next to it. This small change makes the app much easier to use. On top of that, WhatsApp added a soft, see-through look to the whole sidebar. As a result, it blends into your Mac screen. It no longer looks like a plain box sitting on top of your desktop.
Here’s what’s new in the sidebar:
- A text label next to every icon
- A soft, see-through background
- A new spot for locked chats
- A new spot for communities
Locked Chats Get Their Own Space
Locked chats used to sit right inside your normal chat list on Mac. Because of that, there was no real wall between private chats and everyday ones. Anyone using your laptop could open them without typing a password.
That has now changed. Locked chats get their own spot in the sidebar. You will need to prove it is you before you can open it. This finally makes Mac work the same way as iPhone, where locked chats already work like this. So, your private chats stay safer. That’s true even if someone else picks up your laptop for a minute.
Communities Are Easier to Find
Communities got the same fix. In the past, you had to scroll through your whole chat list just to find one. That took extra time, especially if you are part of a few groups.
With this update, communities move to their own tab, so you can jump straight to them. WhatsApp has been polishing group features lately too, including its group chat info interface on iOS. Together, these changes keep the app feeling more tidy.
The Chat Bar and Attachment Menu Match Too
WhatsApp did not stop at the sidebar. The chat bar sits at the bottom of every chat window. It also picked up the new glass look. It now has the same soft, frosted style that iPhone users already know well.
The attachment menu changed too. You tap the plus button to send a photo or file. The menu that pops up now matches the rest of the app. Because of this, the whole app feels more joined up. It flows from the sidebar all the way down to the message you are about to send.
Why WhatsApp Made This Change
Apple set a new design path for apps with macOS Tahoe. Since then, many app makers have updated their apps to match this fresh look. WhatsApp is simply one of the newer names to join in.
For a chat app, looking the same on every device really matters. You may switch between iPhone, iPad, and Mac during the day. So, the app should feel familiar each time you open it. Before this update, Mac stood out. Its look was older than the rest. Now, all three versions share one design. Moving between them feels much smoother because of it.
This kind of change builds trust in small ways too. WhatsApp has been rolling out other small upgrades lately, like its pinned message notifications feature. Together, these updates show the team still cares about the small stuff, not just the big features.
How to Get the Update
Getting the new look is simple. You do not need to do anything strange. There is no hidden setting to switch on.
- Open the App Store on your Mac
- Check for a WhatsApp update
- Install version 26.27.73 or a newer one
- Restart the app if the new look does not show up right away
Even after you update, you may still see the old design for a short time. That is normal. WhatsApp is rolling this out in stages, not all at once. So, accounts are getting it on different days.
What This Means for You
You do not need to learn anything new to use this update. Your chats, calls, and settings all work the same way as before. Only the look and feel have changed.
Still, small design choices like this add up. A clear sidebar with labels helps new users find their way faster. A locked space for private chats adds a layer of safety. And a design that matches across iPhone, iPad, and Mac makes the whole app feel more solid.
The Bottom Line
This update brings the Mac app much closer to how WhatsApp looks on iPhone and iPad. The sidebar now has clear labels and a glass-like look. Locked chats and communities each get their own spot too. On top of that, the chat bar and attachment menu now match the same style.
Overall, it is a small change on the surface. Yet it makes a real difference in daily use. It will not change how you send messages or make calls. Still, it makes the Mac app feel more smooth, more fresh, and finally in step with the rest of the WhatsApp family.
