WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.20.3.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a new icon for easier identification of community group chats with improved navigation, and it is available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | New community icon |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.20.3 is marked as a compatible update, but some users may get the same feature by installing one of the following builds: 2.23.19.16 and 2.23.19.18. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it’s rolling out to more people over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | GoldenPizza, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.19.1.71: what’s new? WhatsApp is releasing a compatible beta version with iPad on TestFlight! |
| WABetaInfo Channel on WhatsApp: | Invite link |
NEW COMMUNITY ICON
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.13.12 update, we announced that new icons for communities and their linked groups were available to some beta testers. With these icons, WhatsApp aimed to better differentiate communities from other conversations in a more intuitive way. Instead, the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.9.17 update introduced a community navigation feature to provide users with easier navigation and improved experience to manage communities within the chats tab. After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.20.3 update, which is currently available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is further redesigning the community icon!
As you can see in this screenshot, some beta testers may be able to see a new icon to identify communities and it displays multiple icons, indicating that it is a community that includes some group chats. The update was needed as WhatsApp is experimenting with grouping the community announcement group and the community groups in a single place, making it easier for users to navigate through their communities. You can find out if your WhatsApp account has received this feature simply by comparing the icon of one of the communities you are a part of with the one shown in our screenshot. In addition, many more users may be experimenting with improved community navigation among community group chats, which appears to be a necessary condition to get the new community icon.
As we previously mentioned in the article regarding the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.13.12 update, where WhatsApp introduced old icons for communities and group chats, we could expect further improvements regarding communities. Thanks to this update, we can confirm their commitment to making the use of communities clearer, and easier to navigate, with a better differentiation from other conversations.
The new icon for easier identification of community group chats is available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.
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