WhatsApp launches a redesigned message menu on Android
After three years, WhatsApp is finally rolling out a feature that brings a redesigned message menu to the Android beta app. The update replaces the old message menu with a more modern design that enhances the interface. The new message menu makes the experience on WhatsApp for Android feel closer to what iPhone users have had for years.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Redesigned message menu |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.23.8 is 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. |
| Thanks: | UnluckyTester, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is testing scheduled messages for chats and groups! |
WhatsApp tested a redesigned message menu for the Android app three years ago
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.4 update, we announced that a redesigned message menu was under development. The design mirrors the context menu already available on iOS, where tapping and holding a message brings up a floating menu right next to it. WhatsApp aimed to replace the overflow menu in the top app bar with something more modern and easier to use. The redesigned message menu makes those actions more accessible and brings the interaction model closer to the experience on WhatsApp for iOS.
Three years later, the redesigned message menu is finally here on Android
That announcement was back in May 2023. After three years of development, WhatsApp is bringing the new menu to some beta users for the first time. We discovered this with the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.23.8 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp is rolling out the redesigned message menu in chats and groups.
What changed from the old message menu to the new one
Previously, users could manage their messages by opening the overflow menu. WhatsApp also placed some important actions like forward and edit directly in the top app bar. The new menu consolidates everything into a single menu that appears directly near the selected message. The first level shows the most common actions, while less frequent options are grouped under a dedicated More section. The result is a cleaner layout that no longer requires users to look away from the message they are interacting with.
How to access the redesigned message menu
Accessing the new menu is straightforward and works the same way in both individual chats and groups. Users can simply tap and hold any message, and the redesigned menu will appear near it. The gesture is the same one that Android users have always used to select a message, so there is nothing new to learn. The new menu replaces the old one automatically for users who have received the update.
Why WhatsApp redesigned the message menu
The redesigned menu improves usability since it consolidates all message actions into a single contextual menu. This makes it easier for users to access the action they need without looking at the top of the screen. Although Android and iOS follow different design languages, WhatsApp is making the message menu experience consistent on these two operating systems. This makes it simpler for users who switch between Android and iOS to find the actions they need in the same place, regardless of which platform they are on.
Android users have been waiting for this redesign for a long time
The redesigned message menu has been one of the most anticipated changes for Android users. When we announced the new menu in 2023, the response from the community was positive. Many users appreciated the context menu in WhatsApp for iOS and had been asking WhatsApp to bring it to Android for years. Three years is a long development cycle for an update of the interface, but it is finally here.
WhatsApp is rolling out the redesigned message menu to a limited group of Android beta testers
The redesigned message menu is available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store. WhatsApp is currently testing the menu with a limited number of users. As a result, it is still not available to everyone. If you do not see this feature after installing the latest update, note it may become available in the future. WhatsApp has not announced an official timeline for the stable version. However, we expect the feature to reach more users over the coming weeks.
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