WhatsApp tests new navigation updates for the Android interface
WhatsApp is working on a new Contacts tab that will help users discover active and recently online contacts in a new tab. The update will introduce a dedicated section directly into the bottom navigation bar to make it easier for users to access their contacts. Several recent changes support this redesign of the navigation experience.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Contacts tab |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development, and it is not available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out a new system to manage chat lists on iOS! |
WhatsApp to build a hub to highlight active and recently online contacts
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.13.3 update, we announced a feature that will let users see who is currently online. This functionality will allow users to explore a hub where they can quickly identify which contacts are currently active on WhatsApp. It will make it easier for users to start conversations with people who are available at that moment. The hub will also display contacts who were recently online, so users can see who might be reachable even if they are not online right now. It is important to note that people who don't share their last seen and online activity won't be displayed in this section.
WhatsApp refines a new Contacts tab for the bottom navigation bar
The feature is still under development, and it is not yet available to all users. WhatsApp is currently refining the experience ahead of the public release. But we already know that these improvements will include adjustments that make the hub easier to access and use. That's what we discovered with the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.22.6 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, the update suggests that WhatsApp may bring a Contacts tab to the bottom navigation bar in the future.
WhatsApp centralizes AI tools into a dedicated tab for Meta AI
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.10.5 update, WhatsApp launched a new tab to centralize AI interactions. The tab provides easier access to several AI-powered tools offered by Meta AI. It replaces the communities section, which makes it possible for WhatsApp to introduce a new AI-powered tab. However, users can still access their communities by selecting the dedicated chat list. The update also removes the floating action button from the Chats tab. Since this central hub consolidates AI features into a dedicated tab, the floating action button is no longer needed and has been removed to simplify navigation in the Chats tab.
WhatsApp moves status updates to the top of the chat list for easier access
The WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.17.1 update allows users to see status updates placed at the top of the chat list for quicker access. The design follows a format similar to Instagram, where stories are arranged at the top of the feed. This feature makes it easier for users to discover recent statuses without opening the Updates tab. It improves visibility by bringing them into a more prominent position within the main interface.
WhatsApp may introduce a filter to help users view channels in the Chats tab
WhatsApp is also working on a new filter to quickly locate channels in the Chats tab. With this experiment, WhatsApp will make it simpler for users to quickly view channels directly in the chat list. The filter will be placed alongside other chat lists, giving users a more focused way to browse channels they follow. So it will reduce clutter by keeping channels separate from personal and group conversations. This should make it easier for users to follow updates from multiple channels without losing track of their conversations.
WhatsApp reshapes navigation to prepare for a new online contacts view
These experiments converge toward a single purpose: introducing a tab where users can quickly see who is currently online on WhatsApp. WhatsApp initially planned to place this section right within the settings menu. However, WhatsApp is now planning to offer direct access through the bottom navigation bar for faster interaction. This explains why WhatsApp has been reorganizing the bottom navigation bar and the Chats tab. By moving status updates and channels into the Chats, WhatsApp can finally add a new contacts tab to the bottom navigation bar.
WhatsApp may remove the Meta AI tab to introduce the new contacts section
WhatsApp is also considering to remove the dedicated tab for Meta AI and bring back the floating action button. By removing this tab, WhatsApp will be able to introduce the new Contacts tab in the bottom navigation bar. As a result, WhatsApp can maintain the Updates tab as a separate section. If WhatsApp will no longer proceed with the experiment with status updates at the top of the Chats tab, WhatsApp may keep the Updates tab as a standalone section. The same applies if WhatsApp won't release the channel filter within the Chats tab in the future. In that case, WhatsApp will replace the Meta AI tab with a Contacts tab in the bottom navigation bar.
WhatsApp is testing different tab changes as it explores its navigation strategy
It is still unclear which tab WhatsApp will decide to remove. While these new features in the chat list suggests that the Updates tab could be at risk, the current direction seems to point more toward removing the Meta AI tab instead. This would allow WhatsApp to introduce a Contacts tab without disrupting the current structure too much. Note that WhatsApp continues to refine the experience with the Contacts section, so nothing is final yet. More details will likely become available as WhatsApp refines its plans in the future.
WhatsApp to improve contact discovery with a dedicated Contacts tab on Android
WhatsApp will introduce the Contacts tab to make it easier for users to find and reach people who are available to chat. By giving contacts a dedicated space, the app can provide quicker access to information about a person's activity and availability. A dedicated Contacts tab will let users discover active contacts and recently online people in one place. This would help users identify who may be most likely to respond at a given moment. These considerations help explain why WhatsApp has been testing so many changes to the interface.
WhatsApp continues to develop the Contacts tab as an experimental feature on Android
The contacts tab is currently under development. This means the tab is not available to users yet and it is not enabled for beta testers at this stage. WhatsApp has not announced an official timeline for its release. In addition, it is unclear whether WhatsApp will release the Contacts tab in the bottom navigation bar. Since the feature is still considered as an experiment, WhatsApp may continue to revise its plans based on some patterns.
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