WhatsApp is reportedly testing a redesigned navigation experience for its Android app that could bring an iPhone-inspired visual makeover to the platform. The reported update has been spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.38.10, with the company experimenting with a redesigned bottom navigation bar featuring rounded edges and a floating appearance.
The change is primarily focused on the look and presentation of the navigation controls rather than altering WhatsApp’s core navigation structure. Chats, Communities, Updates and Calls continue to form the primary sections at the bottom of the screen, but the navigation bar could receive a significantly more modern visual treatment.
WhatsApp Tests Floating Navigation Bar on Android
WhatsApp introduced bottom navigation for its main sections on Android with beta version 2.23.10.6. The latest reported experiment appears to build on that interface by changing the shape, spacing and visual separation of the navigation element.
The redesigned navigation bar reportedly appears as a separate floating component with rounded corners, giving the interface a cleaner and more contemporary appearance. The difference is reportedly more noticeable when WhatsApp is used in light mode, while the visual change is less prominent in dark mode.
The overall concept resembles the floating tab bar available on WhatsApp for iOS following Apple’s introduction of its Liquid Glass design language. However, the Android version is not simply copying Apple’s interface. WhatsApp continues to retain an Android-oriented design approach while adopting a similar floating navigation concept.
Android Interface Could Get a More Modern Look
The reported redesign comes as WhatsApp continues to experiment with changes to its user interface and customisation options. The company has recently been working on additional interface-related features, including new categories for chat themes in a beta release.
The existing Android interface has also received mixed feedback from users looking for a more contemporary design. WABetaInfo recently sought user opinions on X regarding WhatsApp’s current Android interface, with several users calling for visual improvements.
However, WhatsApp has not confirmed whether this feedback has influenced the latest navigation experiment. The company has also not officially announced the redesigned navigation bar or provided details about a possible public rollout.
WhatsApp Navigation Redesign Still Under Development
For now, the redesigned navigation bar remains part of WhatsApp’s development process and has reportedly not reached a wider beta rollout. Features discovered during testing can undergo further changes before release, and some experiments may not eventually become available to all users.
If WhatsApp proceeds with the redesign, Android users could get a navigation experience that feels visually closer to the company’s iPhone interface while still retaining platform-specific Android design elements. The update would represent a visual refresh rather than a fundamental change to how users access WhatsApp’s primary sections.
Meta Expands AI Capabilities for WhatsApp Business
Alongside its consumer app experiments, Meta is also expanding the use of AI tools around WhatsApp Business. The company recently introduced WhatsApp Business Tools MCP, designed to help developers configure WhatsApp Business messaging through AI coding tools.
The system can assist with tasks such as creating a WhatsApp Business Account, adding and verifying a phone number, registering the number with the WhatsApp Cloud API and completing relevant setup requirements. It can also identify unfinished configuration steps, including payment-method setup and business verification.
Meta’s initiative is aimed at reducing the amount of manual work involved in setting up WhatsApp Business integrations. Developers can use supported AI tools to handle parts of the configuration process while authentication and required account permissions remain under the control of the user.
For Android users, the reported navigation redesign could become the more visible of these developments. If released more broadly, the floating navigation bar could give WhatsApp’s Android application a refreshed interface while maintaining the core structure users are already familiar with.
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