WhatsApp’s launched bottom bar on Android

In the previous month of April, WhatsApp was spotted working on a bottom bar for Android users of the app. At the start of this month, the platform launched the latest navigation style to beta testers. With the latest update, it seems that the platform is expanding the scope of this feature and expanding it more widely. This navigation style is already available on the iOS version of the app.

This modification from WhatsApp would be consistent with Google’s recommended design language for Android apps, which suggests having a bottom navigation bar. On the finest Android phones, this interface will also make it easier to use with one hand because the touch targets are closer to your thumb.

The inability to swipe between tabs is one feature in the new UI that people don’t like, according to WABetaInfo. Currently, WhatsApp’s tabbed architecture makes it possible to achieve this, but the bottom navigation bar does not support swiping between tabs. To switch to a tab, you must tap on it.

This update is the first major change made to the Android version of the app in many years. Other than that, it was the first Android app to adapt the Material You redesign back in 2015. However, it’s launched limited updates to the platform since then.

To access the updated UI on your phone, download the most recent WhatsApp beta for Android. Some users assert that forcing the app to stop and restart will fix the layout if it remains unchanged after the update. However, since a server-side push appears to be involved as well, your results may differ.

Given the extensive distribution, it should only be a matter of time before WhatsApp gives users on the stable channel access to the bottom navigation bar.