We first realized about WhatsApp’s huge redesign plans for the Android app a couple of 12 months in the past. The brand new person interface appeared in beta variations of the app, that includes a major change that made it look extra like its iPhone counterpart. Particularly, WhatsApp moved the navigation bar to the underside of the display, the place you’ll discover it on the iPhone.
That stated, WhatsApp didn’t truly go ahead with the design change, selecting to proceed testing it. The Android redesign reappeared in beta exams however didn’t transfer to the steady launch. Quick-forward to late March and WhatsApp is lastly prepared for the change. The navigation bar goes to the underside of the display, and you’ll’t do something about it.
As with all huge OS or app redesign, change isn’t at all times welcome. Google Maps is an effective latest instance. Google gave its primary navigation app a giant redesign final 12 months, altering the previous coloration decisions to ones that regarded extra like Apple Maps on iPhone.
The redesign noticed loads of backlash, however no one may do something about it. Google rolled out the brand new design to each iPhone and Android customers.
In distinction, the design adjustments in WhatsApp aren’t as vital as these of Google Maps. It solely impacts the navigation bar, which has a brand new location. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a major sufficient change that some customers will seemingly wrestle to regulate.
WhatsApp introduced the design replace on X, saying it “moved some issues round to make it simpler to entry what you want if you want it.” The brand new navigation instruments are “nearer to your thumbs and straightforward on the eyes.” I believe the latter is a giant purpose why WhatsApp modified the design.
I’m a longtime iPhone person who has been utilizing WhatsApp since earlier than Meta (then Fb) purchased the app. I’m already used to the nav bar sitting on the underside, and I feel that’s the suitable placement, similar to it’s simpler to work together with the URL bar on a browser if it’s on the underside of the display.
I additionally suppose it’s in WhatsApp’s greatest curiosity to supply a uniform design throughout platforms. And the iPhone design is healthier than the now-old Android UI. You would possibly hate it now, however you’ll get used to it.
As for the tabs within the nav bar, they’re an identical to the earlier decisions. You get entry to Chats, Updates, Communities, and Calls, similar to you probably did earlier than. They’re in a distinct order, and so they’re higher spaced than earlier than. Updates exchange Standing, however the goal stays the identical.
As for design uniformity, the brand new nav bar placement mirrors the iPhone, however the button order differs.
The one solution to cease the change is to delay the replace to WhatsApp. However that’s solely a short lived resolution. Stopping an replace means dropping out on future options that may be extra vital than a UI change.
The latest model of WhatsApp for Android additionally brings a change to the screen-sharing function for video calls. You’ll be able to share audio, too, along with the display.
