WhatsApp Beta Trials New Android Bottom Bar Design
WhatsApp is testing a redesigned bottom navigation bar for Android through its beta channel. The update uses a floating layout that makes the active section easier to see and follows Google's Material Design 3 guidelines more closely. The navigation still includes Chats, Updates, Communities, and Calls.
WhatsApp’s Android beta program is being used to trial a revised lower navigation area. The design adopts a floating appearance, gives the currently selected destination stronger visual emphasis, and moves closer to Google’s Material Design 3 guidance. The four destinations remain Chats, Updates, Communities, and Calls. Because the test is limited, only some Android beta participants can see it, and WhatsApp has not indicated when a broader release might occur.
If the redesign reaches more Android users, it may make switching between WhatsApp sections quicker to recognize, especially for people who rely on visual cues. The change could feel more consistent with other Android apps, but it may also briefly unsettle users accustomed to the current layout. Beta testers are affected first; broader impact would depend on eventual rollout and feedback.