WhatsApp continues to refine its application with incremental design updates while also testing new features inspired by competitors such as Telegram. In its latest change, the messaging platform is introducing a Liquid Glass design language to its native audio player.
This update aims to modernize the user experience by aligning the app’s interface with the visual style of iOS 26, incorporating translucent elements and layered depth effects. The goal is to create a more cohesive and visually integrated environment across the app.
One of the most noticeable changes involves the audio playback bar. Currently, when a user plays a voice message and navigates away from the conversation, a solid green bar appears fixed at the top of the screen. This element has often been seen as visually disconnected from the rest of the interface.
Image: WABetaInfo
With the update, this fixed bar will be replaced by a floating, transparent player that blends more naturally into the app’s layout. The redesign ensures that the playback interface feels like an integral part of the overall design rather than a separate component.
The arrangement of elements within the player is also being updated. The progress indicator, which is currently displayed as a horizontal line across the screen, will be transformed into a circular progress pattern surrounding the sender’s profile picture. Next to the image, the contact name will remain visible, while playback controls such as pause and stop will continue to appear on the right side.
In terms of functionality, a notable improvement is the addition of a rewind button, allowing users to go back five seconds in the audio with a single tap. This feature provides greater control over playback and enhances usability, especially for longer voice messages.
At the moment, these changes are being rolled out to a limited number of users in the beta program. A wider release may take some time, similar to other recent features like automatic translation and the Meta AI tab.