WhatsApp is making chats easier to navigate with a new design update rolling out on both iPhone and Android.
The messaging platform, which has over 2 billion users, says the changes are aimed at reducing the number of taps needed to access important chat features.
What’s New on iPhone?
On iPhone, WhatsApp is introducing a new Liquid Glass navigation button at the top of every chat and group conversation.
Previously, the contact name and profile photo at the top was just text. Now it is a tappable button with a translucent glass effect that adapts to your wallpaper. This fixes a readability issue many users had when busy wallpapers made the contact name hard to see.
Tapping the new button opens a quick menu with six shortcuts:
– Search
– Contact info
– Media, links and docs
– Chat theme
– Disappearing messages
– Mute
Group chats will also show an option to add new members, while business chats get a similar menu tailored to business features.
The update is available in WhatsApp for iOS version 26.39.75 on the App Store. It is rolling out gradually to users who already have the Liquid Glass interface enabled.
What’s New on Android?
On Android, WhatsApp is testing a floating bottom navigation bar.
Instead of a flat bar stretched across the bottom edge, the Chats, Updates, Communities and Calls tabs now sit in a rounded, pill-shaped bar that hovers slightly above the main screen.
The design was spotted in Android beta version 2.26.38.10. The function remains the same, but the look matches the floating style already introduced on iPhone. Unlike iPhone, Android will not get the see-through Liquid Glass effect , it will follow Google’s Material design language.
The floating bar is currently in development and is not yet available to all beta testers.
Why This Matters
Both updates are part of WhatsApp’s bigger push to make navigation faster. Last month, the app also added a one-tap Search shortcut inside chats. Now, with the top button menu, users no longer need to open the full chat info screen to find common settings.
The new navigation experience is expected to reach all users in the coming weeks.
Have you received the update on your device?
