WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.12: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.24.12.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature to introduce new themed icons for contacts and group chats, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.23.18 update, we announced that WhatsApp is currently working on a theme feature to choose the main color of the app. This feature will introduce a sleek black theme for the light mode, replacing the traditional green with black, while also updating the dark theme to use white as the primary accent color. These changes are designed to bring a modern and minimalist look to the app, with contrasting color schemes that enhance readability and align with current design trends. It appears that WhatsApp is testing even more visual enhancements for the app, ensuring that the updated themes feel consistent and polished throughout the entire interface. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.12 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature to introduce new themed icons for contacts and group chats!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a new feature to bring a refreshed look to contact and group icons, scheduled for release in a future update. Currently, icons for contacts, group chats, and communities, are displayed in a neutral grey color, providing a simple and uniform look for those without profile photos. However, in a future update, WhatsApp plans to introduce vibrant colors to these icons, allowing each one to stand out more distinctly. This added color will make it easier to visually identify contacts and groups at a glance, as users will begin to associate specific colors with certain chats. It's worth noting that the concept of this feature is very similar to the colored icons seen in the address book of the Android stock app, where each contact is visually distinguished by a color-coded icon.

These new themed icons are particularly useful when contacts or group chats lack profile photos. For instance, when a contact has not set a profile picture or has chosen to hide it due to privacy settings, WhatsApp will automatically display a distinct themed icon for that contact. This default icon includes unique visual characteristics, particularly in its color scheme, which helps users quickly distinguish between contacts who may have identical names or simply lack a photo.

In the case of group chats and communities, the themed icons are especially beneficial when groups do not have a designated image. Without a unique group picture, it can be complicated to differentiate between multiple group chats at a glance who share the same name. The themed icons will solve this issue by applying distinct colors and designs that help users associate a particular icon with each group, making it easier to recognize without needing to open each group chat individually in the future.

A feature to introduce new themed icons for contacts and group chats is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.

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