Update Limited to Select Users Through A/B Testing

Instagram is finally aligning its design with iOS 26. The app has started rolling out a new Liquid Glass navigation bar to a small group of iPhone users. The update replaces the traditional flat bottom bar with a floating, translucent container.

The new navigation bar sits slightly above the bottom edge. It uses a pill-shaped design that blends into the content beneath it. The effect feels lighter and more immersive. It also closely follows Apple’s system-wide Liquid Glass design language introduced with iOS 26.

For users who value visual consistency on iPhone, this update feels long overdue.

What’s New in the Instagram Liquid Glass UI

The biggest change is visual. The navigation bar no longer feels pinned to the screen. Instead, it floats and adapts to the background content. This makes the interface look modern and less cluttered.

Icons remain familiar. However, the translucent glass effect changes how the app feels during scrolling. The UI now looks more integrated with iOS rather than standing apart from it.

Instagram previously added support for the iOS 26 Liquid Glass keyboard. The navigation bar update completes that visual shift, at least for some users.

Limited Rollout and User Confusion

Instagram is releasing the Liquid Glass update through phased testing. This means many users still see the old interface. Some users report getting the new navigation bar alongside Instagram’s recent layout changes.

That layout change moved the DMs button and sparked backlash. As a result, not everyone is sure which update they are actually seeing. The mixed rollout has added to the confusion.

Instagram has not confirmed when the design will reach all iPhone users.

WhatsApp Still Lags Behind on iOS 26 Design

The update also highlights an awkward gap within Meta’s app ecosystem. While Instagram adopts iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design, WhatsApp remains unchanged.

The messaging app does not yet support the Liquid Glass keyboard. Its navigation bar also stays flat and dated. This contrast is becoming more noticeable for iPhone users.

As more apps adopt Apple’s new design language, WhatsApp risks looking behind the curve.

What Comes Next

Instagram’s Liquid Glass navigation bar shows how third-party apps are adapting to iOS 26. However, the slow rollout means many users are still waiting.

The bigger question now is how long WhatsApp will take to follow. Until then, Meta’s apps may feel visually disconnected on iPhones running iOS 26.