WhatsApp Tests Redesigned Floating Bottom Navigation Bar with Rounded Corners for Android App in Latest Beta Update
WhatsApp is rolling out a significant redesign for its Android app, featuring a sleek, new floating navigation bar with rounded corners, first seen in beta version 2.26.38.10. This update integrates the Meta AI button directly into the bar, enhancing accessibility. Inspired by the iOS app, it adheres to Google's Material Design 3 guidelines for a unified.
WhatsApp, the ubiquitous messaging platform owned by Meta, is preparing a substantial user interface overhaul for its Android application, with a strong focus on a revamped navigation experience. Latest reports indicate that the company is actively developing a new, floating bottom navigation bar that will bring a fresh, modern aesthetic to the app.
The redesign was first spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.38.10. This new navigation bar features a distinct "floating bar with rounded corners," appearing separate from the main interface elements. It aims for a "sleek, rounded aesthetic" that is more "oval-shaped and more transparent" than the current design, though it doesn't adopt full transparency like its iOS counterpart. Details were provided by GSMArena report. WhatsApp Two-Step Verification: Know How Extra Layer of Security Protects Your Account From Hackers.
Inspired by iOS, Aligned with Android
While the new design bears a striking resemblance to the navigation bar found in WhatsApp for iOS, offering a unified visual language across platforms, it adheres to Google's Material Design 3 guidelines for Android. This means users can expect a design that feels both familiar to iOS users and natively integrated into the Android ecosystem, without adopting Apple's specific "Liquid Glass Design" effects.
One of the most notable changes within this redesign is the apparent integration of the Meta AI button directly into the navigation bar. This suggests a more prominent and accessible placement for Meta's AI assistant, moving it from a potentially floating button above the compose button to a fixed, central location for easier access.
Development Status and Rollout
The redesigned navigation bar is currently in an early stage of internal development and is not yet widely available to all public beta testers. While it can be observed in both light and dark themes, the new design is reportedly more noticeable in the light theme. Industry experts suggest that the development process could take several more weeks before the new interface is ready for a broader public release. As of September 27, 2026, WhatsApp has not announced an official public rollout date for these changes.
This update is seen as an evolution of previous interface adjustments, including the move of main sections like Chats, Communities, Updates, and Calls to the bottom bar, initially introduced in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.10.6 in 2023. The timing of this redesign also coincides with user feedback, with many Android users expressing a desire for a more modern look for the popular messaging app. WhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review for 24 Hours.
WhatsApp continues its commitment to enhancing user experience and streamlining its interface across devices, promising a more intuitive and visually appealing journey for its millions of users worldwide, including a massive user base in India.
Disclaimer: AI tools assisted in compiling the foundational data and research for this report. The final content was reviewed, edited and verified by human editors at LatestLY.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2026 10:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
