WhatsApp for Android Is Testing 2 Interface Changes to Navigation and Chat Input

WhatsApp is working on another round of interface refinements for Android. This time, the changes focus on two everyday elements: the bottom navigation bar and the chat input area.

According to WABetaInfo's report published on October 18, 2026, the messaging app is developing a new circular tab indicator alongside a redesigned chat bar.

Neither change introduces a major new messaging feature on its own. Still, both are worth watching because they affect parts of the app people interact with constantly. Even small layout adjustments can influence how clean and comfortable an app feels during everyday use.

1. WhatsApp's Bottom Navigation Could Get a Circular Indicator

The first update concerns the visual indicator that identifies the currently selected tab in WhatsApp's bottom navigation bar.

WhatsApp is working on replacing the existing pill-shaped indicator with a green circular marker. The new shape is intended to give the selected tab a more defined and symmetrical appearance.

This work builds on the redesigned bottom navigation layout, which features rounded corners, a floating appearance, and icons without text labels. With fewer visual elements competing for attention, the selected-state indicator becomes especially important for showing where users are in the app.

However, the design is still evolving. WhatsApp has refined the navigation interface several times during development, so the current version should not be treated as the final release design.

2. The Chat Input Bar Is Getting a New Layout

The second change focuses on the bar where users type and send messages. WhatsApp is testing a layout that places the text input at the top of the bar and integrates the send button into the same interface element.

In the existing design, the send button sits outside the main input field. Bringing these elements together could make the composer look more cohesive and less fragmented.

WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is considering two possible button arrangements:

• Option one: The emoji button stays on the left, while the attachment and camera buttons sit on the right next to the send button.
• Option two: The emoji, attachment, and camera buttons are grouped on the left, leaving the send button on its own at the right.

Both concepts share the same basic approach: the text field moves to the top, and the send button becomes part of the chat bar. The main difference is how the supporting controls are arranged.

That distinction could matter for people who frequently share photos, documents, or emoji-filled messages. A well-organized composer can make common actions easier to locate, although the most practical arrangement will depend on individual habits.

For now, WhatsApp has not confirmed which version will make it into the public release.

What Could These Changes Mean for Users?

The two updates are primarily about visual consistency and interface organization rather than new messaging capabilities.

A circular indicator could make the active navigation tab easier to distinguish at a glance. Meanwhile, a more integrated chat bar could give the message composer a cleaner appearance.

Of course, a modern-looking interface is not automatically a better one for everyone. People who are comfortable with the current button positions may need time to adjust if the final layout changes significantly.

These developments also fit into WhatsApp's broader interface work across platforms. On iPhone, for example, WhatsApp has been refining the translucent effects used in its message menus. Read more in our article about WhatsApp's smoother blur effects on iOS.

When Will the Redesigned Interface Arrive?

There is no confirmed public release date for either change. According to WABetaInfo, development is ongoing, and some elements are not yet available even to beta testers.

That means you should not expect the new interface to appear on your phone immediately. Features under development can take time to reach beta users before becoming available in the stable version on Google Play.

If you want to follow the rollout, check WhatsApp's updates on Google Play and review the available release notes. Installing the beta version does not guarantee access to every experimental feature, either.

The Bottom Line

WhatsApp is testing two interface refinements for Android: a circular indicator for the bottom navigation tabs and a redesigned chat input bar.

Neither change is confirmed for a public release yet, but both suggest that WhatsApp is continuing to polish the small details that shape everyday messaging. The final verdict will depend on how the updated layouts work in practice, not just how they look in screenshots.