WhatsApp, known as the world's most popular instant messaging app, has been consistently rolling out numerous features in recent years. The app has also been making subtle design enhancements to align with Google's Material design language. Now, WhatsApp is gearing up for a significant overhaul to give its Android app a sleeker and more futuristic appearance.
Material Design 3 Upgrade
As per a recent report from WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is conducting internal tests for a new Android app version, labeled 2.23.13.16. This update introduces elements and layouts in line with Material Design 3, offering a fresh look and feel. The familiar green-colored top bar in the WhatsApp Android app will be replaced by a white-colored one. This new top bar will prominently feature the WhatsApp logo, camera icon, search, user profile picture, and the three-dot button for the overflow menu.
Tab Placement Changes
One of the most notable changes is the relocation of the four primary tabs—Communities, Chats, Status, and Calls—from the top to the bottom of the screen. These tabs will have their own icons and labels. However, it's uncertain whether users will be able to switch between them by swiping horizontally. Additionally, there will be filters (All, Unread, Personal, and Business) at the top, making it easier to access relevant chat threads. This revamped design aims to make the app's home screen more modern and user-friendly.
Gradual Rollout
While some of these UI elements, such as the bottom tab bar and chat filters, have appeared in previous beta versions of the app, they haven't yet made it to the stable version used by most users. The new design is currently in the testing phase but is expected to gradually reach more users worldwide in the coming months.
Multi-Account Support
In addition to the design overhaul, WhatsApp is also working on a feature that will enable the same app to support multiple accounts on the same phone. This means users won't need proprietary solutions like Samsung's Dual Messenger to manage multiple accounts. This update builds on WhatsApp's recent addition of support for using the same WhatsApp account on multiple devices.
In conclusion, WhatsApp's upcoming Android app redesign, featuring Material Design 3 elements and a more modern layout, promises a refreshed and user-friendly experience. Keep an eye out for these changes as they roll out gradually in the near future.