WhatsApp has been hard at work lately adding features and applying design tweaks in order to set itself apart from competing products and become more relevant in the U.S. market, where SMS/MMS/RCS and iMessage are king. The latest of these attempts being its apparent attempt to make its iOS and Android apps look more alike than ever.
In the latest update of WhatsApp Beta on Android (v2.23.13.16), as reported by WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp appears to be experimenting with a bottom navigation bar (also called an action bar) in the style of Material Design 3.
The navigation bar will replace the current tabbed interface that sits at the top of the chat list. This gives users the option to access Chats, Communities, Status, and Calls from the bottom by cycling through a more clearly labeled navigation system accentuated by its corresponding icons.
The bottom navigation bar switches between a dark and white color scheme, depending on your theme choice. This is the same navigation bar that is used on the iOS version of WhatsApp, and it is more in line with Google’s design guidelines for Android apps.
The new bottom navigation bar is currently being tested with a limited number of users, but it is expected to be rolled out to everyone eventually. The change is likely to be welcomed by users who prefer a more simplified interface, and it will also make it easier to use WhatsApp with one hand.
In addition to the new bottom navigation bar, WhatsApp has also been rolling out Material Design tweaks such as redesigned switches and floating action buttons with rounded menus. It is unclear when these changes will be rolled out to everyone, as they are currently available in beta and to a limited amount of users, but they are all part of WhatsApp’s efforts to improve the app’s user experience.