WhatsApp web may get a new sidebar, revamped dark mode and option to create usernames

WhatsApp web might soon get new features like a revamped dark mode, a new sidebar and others that will help enhance privacy and improve the overall app experience.

WhatsApp web lacks several features compared to the mobile version of the app. (Image Source: WhatsApp)

WhatsApp web, the browser version of the messaging platform is all set to get a bunch of new features. This includes a new sidebar, a redesigned dark mode and the option to create a username for your profile from the web client itself.

Earlier this year in October, WhatsApp was reportedly testing a new username feature that will make sharing phone numbers a thing of the past. However, the functionality was limited to a handful of users and was only available on the mobile version of the app.

Now, a recent report by WABetaInfo suggests the developers are working to extend the functionality to the web client as well. Similar to the desktop version, users will be able to modify their username anytime they want to.

You can see the new left aligned sidebar in the image above. (Image Source: WABetaInfo)

Currently, WhatsApp web shows the ‘Communities’, ‘Status’, ‘Channels’ and ‘New Chat’ buttons at the top left of the window, but the new sidebar will shift it to the left of the browser window so users can easily switch between various tabs.

As for the revamped Dark mode, the developers have changed the background colour to match the aesthetics of the dark theme and help reduce eye strain.

All the aforementioned features are currently under development and available to those on the beta version of the app, with WhatsApp planning to make them available in a future version of the app.

While the current web version of WhatsApp lacks several functionalities compared to the mobile and desktop apps, the developers seem to be trying to bridge the gap and improve user experience by constantly adding features from the mobile app.

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In the last few days, WhatsApp added new features like the ability to pin a message in a chat, check user status from the chat window, and a new calendar search option.

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Whatsapp