WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.76: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the App Store, bringing the version up to 26.19.76.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that adds a contact grid to the forward picker screen, and it's available to some users!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Contact-grid layout for the forward picker screen |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.76 is a compatible update, but some users may be able to get the same feature by installing the previous update. |
| Availability info: | Akan and akshay, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.20.5: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature to react to messages using both stickers and emojis! |
WhatsApp introduces a faster way to access recent media in the attachment sheet
In the post about the WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.75 update, we announced a feature that introduces recent media in the chat attachment sheet. With this feature, users gain another way to share photos and videos with their contacts and groups. The feature brings a grid-based layout that displays recent images and videos directly within the attachment menu. This interface makes selection faster and more convenient since users don't need to open the full gallery interface. However, users can expand this compact view to access the full media gallery if they do not find what they need.
WhatsApp brings improvements to the forwarding interface
WhatsApp aims to enhance how users send photos and videos by reducing the number of steps required through a simpler design. The updated layout focuses on making media selection more integrated within the chat attachment flow. But now, WhatsApp is also committed to improving other parts of the interface to offer an experience more convenient. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.76 update on the App Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that adds a contact grid to the forward picker screen.
WhatsApp organizes the forward picker for faster sharing
The attached screenshot show a new layout for the forward picker interface. The current forward picker interface displays chats in a vertical list. At the top, users can find the option to share a message as a status update. It is also possible to forward the message to Meta AI to get additional information. Below this, there is a dedicated section that highlights the contacts the user interacts with most frequently. Then, we have a list of recent chats for quick access to ongoing conversations. If the desired contact or group is not immediately visible, users can use the search bar to quickly locate it. Additionally, the interface allows users to create a new group directly from the same screen.
WhatsApp tests a compact grid layout for frequently contacted users in the forward picker
With the new update, some users will notice changes in the "Frequently contacted" section. The list is no longer displayed in a vertical format, but it appears as a grid. This grid is arranged into two rows, and it shows a total of 6 contacts at a time. As a result, users can now see one more contact compared to the previous vertical layout. At the moment, WhatsApp does not plan to introduce this grid structure to other sections of the forward picker, and the current plan keeps it limited to this specific area.
WhatsApp improves contact visibility with a more efficient grid-based layout
The new design improves how space is used on the screen by organizing contacts in a grid. Instead of a long vertical list, the grid layout allows an additional contact to be displayed in a compact area. This makes it easier for users to quickly recognize and select the people they interact with most often. At the same time, it reduces the need for scrolling through multiple entries. As a result, the feature keeps important conversations within faster reach and maintains a clean and structured layout.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new contact grid in the forward picker on iOS
The feature that adds a contact grid to the forward picker screen is available to some users who install the latest update of WhatsApp for iOS from the App Store. It is also available to some beta testers who install the beta version from TestFlight. However, it is still not available to everyone. Over the coming weeks, WhatsApp will make the new layout available to more users.
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