WhatsApp is rolling out a Meta AI tab as a central hub on Android
WhatsApp is testing a new dedicated Meta AI tab in the latest beta version for Android, providing a central hub for all AI-powered features. The tab allows users to interact with the chatbot via text or voice, create and animate images, and access helpful suggestions, all in a single, organized interface.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Meta AI tab |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.10.5 has been designated as a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out parent-managed accounts! |
WhatsApp launches a new tab to centralize AI interactions
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.6.5 update, we announced a feature to centralize all AI-powered tools in one place. This feature will implement a new tab directly within the bottom navigation bar, making it simpler for users to interact with Meta AI. The tab will provide easier access to several tools offered by Meta AI. It is designed to keep the chat list uncluttered while offering a single, direct entry point to the chatbot.
It appears that WhatsApp is testing this feature with a limited number of Android users. Over the past few days, some users have gained access to the new AI tab to explore its functionality. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.10.5 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a dedicated Meta AI tab to centralize all AI-powered features in one place.
As you can see from the attached image, some beta testers can access a new entry point for Meta AI directly in the bottom navigation bar. To introduce this new tab, WhatsApp has removed the Communities tab from the main interface. In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.1.24 update, we had already noted that WhatsApp planned to replace the Communities tab with a new section dedicated to AI-powered chats. With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.1.11 update, users can already create and manage community group chats directly from the Chats tab, and filter them through a preset list. As a result, this replacement won't affect the user experience.
It seems that WhatsApp has abandoned the plan to offer easier access to AI-powered chats. Now, WhatsApp is launching a tab exclusively for Meta AI, and it's available to some users in certain regions. It appears to be a very limited test, as only a small number of users can access this tab. Since this tab provides access to Meta AI, WhatsApp has removed the floating action button from the Chats tab. This shortcut allowed users to open the conversation with the chatbot directly from the Chats tab. This makes the chat list finally uncluttered from the annoying entry point, so users can focus on their conversations better.
The new tab for Meta AI is designed to offer a central hub for all AI-powered features. Instead of looking where users can interact with AI-powered tools, users can find everything organized in a single, dedicated environment designed for quick interaction. Users can quickly create and animate images from the new tab. This section also provides useful suggestions to help users get started with the chatbot. Additionally, users can ask anything to Meta AI by simply entering a prompt to the bottom search bar.
Similar to regular phone conversations, users can receive responses in real time by initiating a voice call with the chatbot. Meta AI can offer virtual assistance by handling tasks, answering questions, and providing guidance through a natural voice conversation. To make this interaction easier to access, WhatsApp has added two entry points to place a voice call with Meta AI directly to this tab. The first entry point is located within the bottom search bar. Here, users can tap the voice button to immediately start a call with the chatbot. The second entry point is placed within the context menu at the top of the screen. This menu also offers shortcuts to manage the chatbot memory and see all media shared with Meta AI.
The Meta AI tab may also offer a separate feature that was previously available to some beta testers after installing the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.9.4 update. This tool makes it simpler for users to review their past conversations with the chatbot. Every time users start a new conversation with Meta AI, WhatsApp creates a separate thread. Users can review these threads in a dedicated section where the full chat history for each thread is listed. Similar to ChatGPT and Gemini, Meta AI generates a title for each chat. So users can easily find specific conversations initiated with the chatbot at any time.
The new Meta AI tab to centralize all AI-powered features in one place is available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store. This feature is currently available to a limited number of users in selected regions, although WhatsApp has not disclosed which regions are included in the test. However, countries such as India, Indonesia, and the United States are often part of these limited rollouts, even though availability remains restricted to a small group of users. We will keep sharing updates about this feature as its availability expands.
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