🔥 Trending WhatsApp's New Message Bubbles on iOS: What You Need to Know

WhatsApp is rolling out a significant visual update to its message bubbles on iOS, introducing a redesigned look that aims for a more modern and streamlined chat experience ²³⁴. This change is part of a broader effort by WhatsApp to refresh its user interface on iOS, following the "Liquid Glass" redesign ¹⁷.

Key Characteristics of the New Message Bubbles

The updated message bubbles feature several distinct changes:

• Rounder Corners and Softer Shape: The most noticeable change is that the message bubbles are now significantly rounder and have a softer, more fluid shape compared to the previous design ²⁵⁸. This aesthetic is often likened to the design used in Apple's iMessage, providing a more native iOS feel ²⁷.
• Borderless Media Display: Shared media, such as photos and videos, now appear without their traditional border frame within the chat bubbles ⁵⁸. This creates a more immersive and integrated viewing experience directly within the conversation flow.
• Improved Link Previews: The new design also alters how links are displayed in conversations, potentially offering a cleaner and more informative preview ⁷.
• Alignment with Liquid Glass Redesign: These new bubble designs complement WhatsApp's recent "Liquid Glass" interface update, contributing to a cohesive and contemporary visual identity across the application ¹⁷.

Rollout and Availability

The new message bubbles are being rolled out gradually:

• Beta Testing: The update was initially made available to select beta testers through the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.29.10.70 update via TestFlight ³⁴⁵.
• Stable App Store Version: Interestingly, some users on the stable App Store version of WhatsApp have also begun to see these redesigned bubbles, indicating a broader rollout beyond just beta participants ⁴⁸.

Animated Bubbles (Separate Development)

In a related but distinct development, WhatsApp has also been testing new animated message bubbles on iPhone. This feature, observed in a beta version in June 2026, allows for message animations and includes a setting for users to turn them off if desired ⁶. It's important to distinguish these animated bubbles from the general visual redesign of the static message bubble shape.

In essence, the new message bubbles on iOS represent a significant visual refresh for WhatsApp, aiming to provide a more modern, integrated, and aesthetically pleasing chat interface for iPhone users.