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We first learned about WhatsApp’s plans for a major redesign of its Android app about a year ago. The new user interface debuted in the beta version of the app, with significant changes to make it more similar to its iPhone counterpart. Specifically, WhatsApp has moved its navigation bar to the bottom of the screen, the same as the iPhone’s navigation bar.
However, WhatsApp did not actually move forward with the design change, instead choosing to continue testing. The Android redesign resurfaced in beta testing but did not make it to the stable release. Fast forward to late March, and WhatsApp is finally ready for change. The navigation bar moves to the bottom of the screen and you can’t do anything with it.
As with any major OS or app redesign, change isn’t always welcomed. Google Maps is a good recent example. Google significantly redesigned its main navigation app last year, changing the old color choices to be more similar to Apple Maps on the iPhone.
This redesign received a lot of backlash, but no one could do anything about it. Google has rolled out the new design to both iPhone and Android users.
In contrast, WhatsApp’s redesign is less significant than Google Maps. Affects only navigation bars with new positions. But it’s still a significant enough change that some users might have a hard time adjusting.
WhatsApp announces design update on X, says, “We’ve moved a few things around to make it easier to access what you need when you need it.” The new navigation tools are “closer to the thumb and easier on the eyes.” I think the latter is the main reason why WhatsApp changed its design.
I’m a long-time iPhone user and have been using WhatsApp since before Meta (then Facebook) bought the app. I’m already used to having the navigation bar at the bottom, and I think this is the correct placement, just as a browser’s URL bar is easier to navigate when it’s at the bottom of the screen.
I also think it’s in WhatsApp’s best interest to provide a consistent design across the platform. And the iPhone design is now better than the old Android UI. You may not like it now, but you’ll soon get used to it.
As for the navigation bar tabs, they are the same as the previous choices. You’ll still have access to chat, updates, communities, and calls as before. Their order is different and they are better spaced than before. The update replaces the status, but the purpose is the same.
In terms of design consistency, the new navigation bar arrangement mirrors the iPhone, but the order of the buttons is different.
The only way to stop the changes is to delay updates to WhatsApp. But it’s only a temporary solution. Blocking updates means losing future features that may be more important than UI changes.
The latest version of WhatsApp for Android also brings changes to the screen sharing feature for video calls. You can share not only your screen but also your audio.
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