WhatsApp has released an update that adds a handy navigation bar for Android users at the bottom of the app. The new bottom bar design should allow for easier navigation through the app, making it quicker to access new messages and other features offered by Meta’s proprietary chat app. Additionally, the update complies with Material Design guidelines on Android, so it will look good with the rest of the operating system.
New navigation bar in WhatsApp
The feature has been available in beta for some time. Now, it finally arrives on the stable WhatsApp channel, as announced WhatsApp on X. This means that all users will be able to enjoy smoother navigation within the popular application. The bar had a bit of a rocky road to get here, as it appeared on the app’s beta channel in June, disappearing shortly after. It came back in September, disappeared again, and appeared on the beta channel about a week ago.
The navigation bar has four tabs. You can quickly switch between Chats, Updates, Communities and Calls, which are the main features of the app. The previous menu featured Chats, Updates, and Calls more prominently, while Communities was smaller and not as noticeable.
WhatsApp described the new bottom menu bar as “closer to the thumbs and easier on the eyes,” and I agree with that assessment. I’ve gotten used to navigating apps with a menu at the bottom of the screen, since most switch that way. With larger phones, reaching the top of the screen can be tricky, so having the buttons at the bottom allows you to get where you need to quickly and efficiently.
WhatsApp users are already seeing the new menu bar, so download the latest version of the app on your device and you’ll be good to go.
Other WhatsApp beta features
WhatsApp beta testers have also spotted other new features in the app. For example, there’s a new Suggested Contacts p in the Chats tab, which seems like a great way to find people you might know (as if we don’t get enough messages on the various chat apps).
If you want to try the WhatsApp beta channel yourself to try out the latest features, you can check it out on the app page. store page on Google Play. However, at the time of writing, he says the beta group is full and WhatsApp is not currently accepting additional testers. It may be worth bookmarking that page to see if you can access it in the future.
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