WhatsApp is preparing to make a new change in the design of its Android app. The company is currently testing the new design of the app’s Bottom Navigation Bar. In this, the bar will not be completely stuck to the bottom of the screen, but will appear like a separate floating bar. Rounded corners will be given on its edges, due to which its look will resemble the design of WhatsApp present on the iPhone.
According to WABetaInfo, a website that monitors WhatsApp features, the new bottom navigation bar has been seen in version 2.26.38.10 of WhatsApp Beta for Android. However, just installing this beta version will not make the new design visible yet. WhatsApp has not yet activated it for beta testers and the feature is still in the development stage.
How will the new Bottom Bar look?
In the new design, the tabs of Chats, Updates, Communities and Calls will remain present at the bottom as before, but the entire bar will not be attached to the edge of the screen. Instead it will appear slightly separate from the screen and will have rounded corners all around.
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo/X
WhatsApp is testing this design in both Light and Dark themes. At present its changes are more easily visible in Light Mode.
iPhone’s design will be like WhatsApp
A glimpse of the iPhone app will be seen in the new Android design of WhatsApp. WhatsApp on iOS had introduced floating tab bar as part of the update related to Apple’s Liquid Glass design. It also has a see-through effect with round corners.
WhatsApp is preparing to provide similar floating shape and rounded design on Android. However, it is not yet clear whether the See-Through effect of iPhone will be available on Android or not.
The reason for this is that the design of Android app is prepared keeping in mind Google’s own design guidelines.
Big change after three years
WhatsApp had shifted the main tabs downwards in the Android app about three years ago. This change was tested with beta version 2.23.10.6 in 2023. Now the company is preparing to change the design of the Bottom Bar once again.
Currently this feature is in development and WhatsApp can make changes in the design before releasing it. The company has not yet given information about when the new floating bottom bar will be available to common Android users.
