WhatsApp is working on an interface overhaul for Android that, if leaked tests are confirmed, will change how users navigate the app. The first hints come from the beta program and the WABetaInfo portal , where a more rounded bottom bar, a fixed access point to Meta AI, and a future Contacts tab have been spotted.
This is not a final version or an official Meta announcement. The screenshots are from development builds, so the icons, animations, and transparency levels may change before the update is released to the public.
A floating bottom bar for Android
The most noticeable change affects navigation. Instead of being flush with the bottom edge, the navigation bar now has a suspended form, with soft corners and a margin relative to the screen bezel. This design aims to make it more comfortable to switch between chats, news feeds, and calls with your thumb, especially on phones with large screens. Ergonomics plays a more important role.
In the first images of Android beta 2.26.38.10, Meta AI appears integrated into the bottom menu. Until now, access to the assistant was typically a floating button above the command to compose a message, similar to sending WhatsApp messages using your voice with Gemini . The leak even shows two duplicate Meta AI shortcuts , a clear indication that the development is still in its early stages.
The redesign has also been showcased in both dark and light modes. The design is reminiscent of the finish WhatsApp already uses on iPhones, associated with Apple's Liquid Glass design language, although the Android version doesn't necessarily have to replicate the translucent effect exactly. Meta seems to be opting to maintain a distinct identity on each platform , with similar features but tailored to their respective visual guidelines.
Contacts and birthdays: the new features that go beyond aesthetics
Alongside the floating bar, a dedicated Contacts tab is being developed within the bottom navigation. This section would allow users to access their contacts directly from the app and could coexist with the usual chat, news, and call sections, complementing existing tips for managing calls and contacts . The goal is to give more prominence to people , not just active conversations.
The most striking feature related to that tab is birthday reminders. WhatsApp would read the date saved in the phone's address book and, when the day arrives, would display a cake icon next to the contact's name with the text "Birthday today." The user wouldn't have to re-enter that information into the app; if it's not in the address book, they would simply need to add it from their phone's contacts app.
According to the tests detected, this new feature first appeared in the iOS beta and is not yet available to the general public. A release date for the stable version has also not been confirmed. It's part of Meta's trend to bring WhatsApp closer to more social dynamics , while still maintaining its core messaging app identity.
What does this redesign mean for users?
The apparent goal is to unify the experience between Android and iOS. WhatsApp wants users who switch phones to find a recognizable structure, but without forcing a single design across both systems. This is why they talk about functional consistency and aesthetic differences , something that aligns with the Material Design guidelines for Android and iOS for iPhone.
For Android users, the redesign responds to a request repeated for years: to modernize the structural elements of the interface. The floating bar, curved edges, and greater presence of Meta AI are the first visible steps. Even so, analysts warn that the design could change several times before its widespread rollout.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, there is currently no official schedule or list of countries for this update. Since it's currently being tested in the beta channel, the company will likely roll out the changes to all Android users once they're ready. Until then, it's best to consider these leaks as an indication of the direction things are taking, not as the final product.
What we know so far points to a more modern WhatsApp for Android, with a suspended bottom bar, Meta AI in the menu, a future Contacts tab, and birthday reminders read from the calendar. These are changes under development, detected in beta versions, that aim to bring the app closer to iOS without losing its Android character. The final release date and design are still to be confirmed.
