WhatsApp on Android smartphones (WhatsApp) users are ready! Soon your experience of using WhatsApp is going to change. Because the interface of the app is going to change soon for Android users. The company is preparing to introduce a new design to the bottom navigation bar of the Android app. According to media reports, the new navigation bar is similar to the interface of WhatsApp on iPhone. The design of this app for Android will be kept according to Google’s design guidelines.
The new update is not available for all beta users
This change is currently seen in the development level of version 2.26.38.10 of WhatsApp Beta for Android. This means, this new update has not been made available to all beta users yet. So it may take a long time for this update to reach common users. In the new design, the bottom navigation bar will look slightly different from the rest of the screen. It will have rounded corners on all four sides, making it look like a floating bar. This design will give a more modern look compared to the current navigation. (Photo Courtesy: Pinterest)
New design easily seen in light theme
This change can include not only the size of the bar, but also the visual design of its tabs and controls. According to reports, the new design will be more easily visible in the light theme while the change may be less visible in the dark theme. WhatsApp’s new Android design is said to be similar to the iPhone app’s floating tab bar. WhatsApp on iOS has introduced a floating and rounded navigation element in line with Apple’s new Liquid Glass design. A similar floating concept can be seen on Android as well.
iPhone design will not be copied
However, the Android app will not copy the iPhone design exactly. WhatsApp will follow different design principles for Android. For this, although the navigation experience on both the platforms looks the same, the visual design of both will be different.
The change was made 3 years ago
WhatsApp shifted the main section to bottom navigation in the Android app around 3 years ago. With beta version 2.23.10.6 Chats, Communities, Updates and Calls were shifted to the bottom of the screen. This made it even easier for users to switch between sections. Now the company is working on giving a new look to the same navigation bar. An official announcement has not yet been made as to when the new design will be available to users.