WhatsApp confirms new navigation bar at bottom of screen for Android users

WhatsApp's navigation bar will move to the bottom of the screen for Android users, bringing it more in line with the iOS app.

This could make the WhatsApp navigation bar more accessible when using a smartphone with one hand. (WhatsApp via X.com)

WhatsApp is arguably the most popular instant messaging service around the world and for many months now, there have been rumours that Meta will be changing the interface of the app on Android, with a new swipeable navigation bar at the bottom. Now, WhatsApp has confirmed that change will soon be available on your phone if it already isn’t.

WABetaInfo, a site that covers changes to the instant messaging service’s app, reported earlier that developers are moving the chats, calls, communities and status tab to the bottom of the screen, bringing it more in line with the iOS version. Beta testers have claimed that this could be part of WhatsApp’s intentions to adhere to Google’s new Material Design guidelines.

In an update on the platform X, WhatsApp said the bottom bar is designed to be closer to your thumbs and therefore, easier to reach. This could make it easier to switch between the tabs without moving your thumb to the top of the device when you want to switch between chats, calls and other options on the screen.

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Apart from the change to the user interface, WhatsApp also seems to be introducing a new “suggested contacts” section in the Chats tab. This section is seemingly dedicated to suggesting new contacts for you to chat with. WABetaInfo spotted the feature in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.23.

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If the feature makes it to a stable version of the app, it will be added to the bottom of the chats list, which could provide users with easy access to new conversations without disrupting their existing chat order. It also seems like WhatsApp might suggest starting conversations with contacts the user has never interacted with before.