Instagram finally brings “Liquid Glass” UI to iOS navigation bar; WhatsApp still awaits it

Instagram is finally catching up to the aesthetic of iOS 26, rolling out the much-anticipated “Liquid Glass” navigation bar to a select group of users. If you’ve been waiting for the app to shed its flat, edge-to-edge docking for something that actually feels like it belongs on your iPhone today, your wait might be over.

The new look is unmistakable. Instead of the traditional dark or light strip pinned to the bottom of your screen, the navigation elements now float inside a translucent, pill-shaped container. It hovers slightly above the bottom edge, mimicking the system-wide design language Apple introduced with iOS 26. It’s cleaner, more immersive, and frankly, makes the old UI look archaic by comparison.

A few users have even shared screen recordings of the new UI on Threads and X:

 

 

View on Threads

 

But much like any other UI update, I’m confident a good chunk of Instagram’s user base on iPhones might not like the redesigned navbar. Me personally? I think it’s cool, but I don’t have it yet (screw A/B tests).

This isn’t Instagram’s first rodeo with Liquid Glass. The app added support for iOS 26’s redesigned keyboard back in September.

However, the navigation bar update took a bit longer to arrive, and it’s still being deployed gradually across Instagram’s massive user base.

The timing is interesting. Instagram just faced backlash over its new layout that moved the DMs button, and some users report the Liquid Glass update comes bundled with that controversial redesign, while others still see the old UI.

Here’s where things get awkward for Meta. While Instagram is embracing iOS 26’s design language, WhatsApp is still nowhere near ready.

The messaging app hasn’t even added support for the Liquid Glass keyboard yet, let alone updated its navigation bar. And users are getting frustrated.

“It’s been months since iOS 26 was released and iOS 27 is only a few months away,” one user complained on X. “Most 3rd party apps have adopted Liquid Glass UI, and even local apps have switched to Liquid Glass. It’s a shame that WhatsApp still hasn’t been able to make that UI.”

It’s a strange disconnect for a company that owns both apps. Instagram is moving forward with iOS 26’s visual refresh while WhatsApp lags behind, potentially making it feel dated compared to other messaging apps that have already made the jump.

We’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes Instagram to release the new nav bar design to more users, and also wait to see when WhatsApp catches up.

Meanwhile, feel free to share your thoughts on the new Liquid Glass navigation bar on Instagram in the comments below.

Featured image credits: mainhathao / DaniVG96