If you ever felt that WhatsApp chats looked a bit dated on iPhone, this update is for you. WhatsApp is bringing a new design with rounder corners to message bubbles, and photos and videos no longer sit within a visible frame. Both changes make the conversation screen feel noticeably lighter.
| Key points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | New design for message bubbles |
| Feature availability: | Some features may be under development, so they are not available to beta testers. Others may become available to users over time. If you're unable to access a certain feature, you will need to wait for a future update. |
| News shared last week: | WhatsApp rolls out full username feature and multi-account |
| Previous article: | WhatsApp adds parental controls to the Android settings screen |
Weekly WhatsApp beta updates: new features and improvements
This new weekly roundup brings together all the latest updates about WhatsApp beta shared this week. As a result, you can finally catch up on everything you might have missed from our past announcements. You can consider this summary as a way to keep up new features, improvements, and fixes. This week's highlight focuses on a new design for message bubbles on WhatsApp for iOS. See what else has been announced this week.
WhatsApp announces usernames on App Store and Google Play
WhatsApp is promoting usernames on the App Store and Google Play. The event is labeled as a "Major update", and the announcement is visible to every user who opens the store. Both banners highlight that usernames allow users to keep their phone number private. WhatsApp usually reserves the banner for features that improve the user experience. In this case, usernames fit exactly this description.
WhatsApp launches modern design for message bubbles on iOS
WhatsApp is rolling out a more modern design for message bubbles on iOS. This update introduces more rounder corners that give conversations a softer and cleaner appearance. The new design also changes how shared media appears within chats. Photos, videos, and GIFs can now appear without the traditional borders around the message bubble. The redesign also brings the appearance of WhatsApp's message bubbles closer to the iMessage style that iPhone users may already be familiar with.
WhatsApp introduces parental controls to the Android settings page
The WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.29.5 update introduces a new entry point for "Parental controls". The entry point is available directly within the app settings, making it a good place where parents are more likely to notice it. Note that it is the same feature it always was, but it is just easier to find. By bringing this entry point to the settings screen, WhatsApp is highlighting the feature to make it easier for parents to discover and set up parental controls for their children.
WhatsApp announced updates for iPad, CarPlay, Music, and PDF
WhatsApp announced new updates that enhance the user experience. Specifically, WhatsApp finally allows users to register an account directly on iPad, without linking it to a phone first. WhatsApp completely redesigned its experience on both CarPlay and Android Auto. Users on Web and Desktop can now open PDF files directly in the chat without downloading them first. The feature is powered by Adobe Acrobat, which WhatsApp is partnering with to bring PDF tools into the chat experience. Additionally, WhatsApp now lets users share a song directly from Apple Music or Spotify to their Status.
WhatsApp is working on a custom reaction tray
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.29.3 update, WhatsApp is working on new improvements for reactions. In particular, WhatsApp is developing a feature that will let users customize the reaction tray. At the moment, the reaction tray shows 6 default emojis. With a future update, users will be able to choose which emojis the reaction tray should include. However, this feature will be part of the second set of features that WhatsApp is working on for "WhatsApp Plus".
WhatsApp is working on replacing the PIN with a password
WhatsApp is working on a feature that would let users replace the two-step verification PIN with a password. Instead of choosing a PIN, users will have to set up a password to secure their accounts. A PIN that uses only numbers has a limited number of possible values. A password is far less predictable by nature. In the future, users who already have two-step verification enabled with a PIN can update their security code when this change rolls out.
WhatsApp celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026
As part of its initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub, WhatsApp is rolling out a new animation for status likes on both iOS and Android. Specifically, footballs now appear on the screen instead of the usual hearts when someone likes a status update. It is also possible to choose music for status updates from a dedicated category called Football Central 2026. In addition, WhatsApp suggested that users updated their "About" regarding the final event. The tournament ended, so WhatsApp is now removing these additional features.
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