WhatsApp is working on a remarkable design change in the interface of its Android application. The new look, which is still in development, focuses specifically on the navigation bar at the bottom of the application. In the design that appeared in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.38.10 for Android, the navigation bar has a more oval and partially transparent structure. In addition, it is planned to move the section reserved for Meta AI directly to this bar. Current findings show that the company is trying to make the basic navigation structure of the Android application simpler and more complete.
The resulting screenshots clearly reveal that the design is not yet completed. As a matter of fact, in the current development version, the Meta AI button can be seen in two different points of the interface. For this reason, the appearance in the beta version should not be considered as the final design that WhatsApp will offer to all users. It seems possible that details such as the location of the buttons, the dimensions of the bar or the level of transparency may change during the development process. Despite this, the tested version gives clear clues as to which design direction WhatsApp is moving in its Android app.
Meta AI is moving to the bottom menu in WhatsApp Android design
One of the prominent changes of the new design is the addition of Meta AI access to the navigation bar. In WhatsApp’s current interface, Meta AI can be used with a standalone button that sits above the new chat creation button. In the tested design, the artificial intelligence feature becomes one of the main navigation options of the application. Thus, there may be no need for the Meta AI button that stands independently on the screen, and users can access artificial intelligence features via the submenu. However, since the availability of Meta AI within WhatsApp may vary by country and account, it is also possible that the new navigation pattern will show regional differences during deployment.
The overall appearance of the navigation bar also differs from the current Android version. The transparency effect has been increased in the new stick, which has more rounded and oval lines. This view is somewhat reminiscent of the bottom navigation area in WhatsApp’s iOS app, but the Android app does not achieve the same level of transparency. Therefore, although the interfaces of the two platforms may not be made completely the same, the difference in terms of design language may be reduced. Softer corners and a structure that partially reveals the background create a lighter visual layout, especially in the lower part of the application.
WhatsApp is also preparing a version of the new design that can be used with a dark theme. Thus, Android users will continue to be able to switch between light and dark appearance depending on system or application preference. What the dark mode will look like with the new translucent navigation bar will be clearer once the design is completed. Particularly, adequate separation of texts, icons and background from each other is decisive in terms of readability in interfaces that use transparency. Since WhatsApp may change these details during the development process, the color and transparency values in the beta version cannot be said to be permanent.
The interface in question was detected in the 2.26.38.10 beta version of WhatsApp for Android and is currently in the development channel accessible to users participating in the beta program. However, just because a feature appears in the beta version does not mean that it will come to the stable version soon. While WhatsApp can change some interface options during development, it can evaluate tested features for weeks before making them available to a wider user base. Therefore, there is no exact date yet as to when the new navigation bar will be available for general use. The current version looks more like WhatsApp is considering embedding Meta AI access in the permanent navigation area and visually reorganizing the bottom part of the Android interface.