WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.2.3: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.2.3.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a new default icon feature for contacts and group chats, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | New default icons for contacts and group chats |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.2.3 has been designated as a compatible update, but some users might experiment with the same feature by installing the previous update. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.1.10.71: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to show the website icon for shared links! |
WhatsApp is working on new themed icons for contacts and groups
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.12 update, we announced new themed icons for contacts and groups. This feature would introduce vibrant and color-coded icons for contacts and group chats. This makes it easier for users to distinguish between them at a glance, especially when the profile photo is not available.
It appears that WhatsApp is now testing this feature with the public. Today, some beta testers reported new icons for their chats that shows distinct colors for contacts and group conversations. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.2.3 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a new default icon feature for contacts and group chats!
Some beta testers can explore colorful and dynamic icons for contacts and groups. WhatsApp automatically generates these icons when a chat does not have a profile photo. For personal chats, the icon is made up of the first letter of the contact's name displayed against a vibrant background color. This creates a unique appearance for every chat. Users can rely on these icons to quickly identify their conversations. In cases where a chat does not have a name, WhatsApp generates a default icon with a person-shaped figure. This ensures that even certain unnamed chats remain easily recognizable within the app.
The new feature also extends to group chats and communities, which have their own distinctive default icons. Group chats are depicted with an icon featuring two people, while communities are represented by an icon with three. This update replaces the older and outdated default images that WhatsApp has used for years. The previous default images were quite basic, and these new icons provide a more organized experience.
These icons resemble those found in the contact list of many Android phones. Here, Android assigns a color-coded circle with the first letter to contacts. This design offers a similar experience to users, as the concept is already widely recognized in the context of mobile contacts. They help users distinguish their chats that might otherwise look identical. For example, if multiple chats share similar or identical names, the distinct colors and initials on the icons make it easier to tell them apart.
A new default icon feature for contacts and group chats is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.
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