WhatsApp has updated its native desktop app for macOS with a revamped app sidebar featuring icons instead of labels. The new sidebar is more intuitive and matches the macOS interface, while also saving space and reducing clutter. The feature is currently available for some beta testers and will be rolling out to more users soon.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Tweaked app sidebar |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for macOS 23.7.0.78 is marked as a compatible update. |
| Thanks: | Spencer and ismailhnd, for testing and reporting! |
| I have updated my version of WhatsApp but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature may only be available for some beta testers. Please, wait for a future update in case it’s not enabled for your WhatsApp account. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.11: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on expiring groups as an additional tool to save space! |
WhatsApp is constantly working to improve its native desktop app for macOS, which is compiled using Catalyst. This time, we will not talk about new features but a tweaked interface, particularly for the app sidebar. WhatsApp released a new update that includes a significant change for the app sidebar, which has been revamped from a list of labels to a set of icons. The previous sidebar consisted of a list of labels that allowed users to open specific sections of the app, such as chats, status, calls, and settings. Thanks to the new sidebar, the labels have been replaced by icons, making it easier to navigate and access the different sections of the app quickly.
As you can see in this screenshot, the new sidebar icons are definitely intuitive, making it easier for users to find what they are looking for without having to rely on the text labels. The sidebar icons have also been designed to match the look of the macOS interface, making it more cohesive with the rest of the system. The new sidebar also saves space and reduces clutter as the icons take up less space than the text labels, leaving more room for the app’s content.
If you follow our news regularly, you have probably noticed that the new sidebar is very similar to the one implemented on the native WhatsApp app for Windows. This is a clear sign of how WhatsApp wants to make native apps very similar in terms of interface.
The tweaked interface for the app sidebar is available for some beta testers that install the latest update of WhatsApp beta for macOS from the TestFlight app, and it is coming to more people over the coming days.
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