WhatsApp Tests New Navigation Bar to Replace Communities Tab
WhatsApp is testing a new navigation bar for Android users that replaces the Communities tab and lets them see which contacts are currently online, according to a report by t3n.de.
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The Tech TL;DR:
- WhatsApp version 2.26.45.2 introduces a dedicated contacts bar on Android via the Google Play Store.
- Users can sort favorite contacts alphabetically, by birthdays, or by recent online activity indicated by green status dots.
- The Meta-owned service has not yet announced a public release date for the general user base.
Discovered by WAbetainfo in version 2.26.45.2 on the Google Play Store, the interface adjustment alters the bottom navigation layout of the messaging application. Statista surveys indicate that nearly all people in Germany know the Meta-owned platform and more than eight out of ten adults use it to communicate with colleagues, friends, and family.
The redesigned navigation bar surfaces contacts marked as favorites by the user. The contact list can be sorted alphabetically, by birthdays, or by recent activity. Active accounts appear at the top of the list designated by a green dot. Accounts that are offline are organized by their last seen timestamp, provided those individuals share their visibility status.
Meta is currently testing several configurations for the app navigation. Some accounts have already received a dedicated Meta AI tab replacing the Communities tab, while an alternative test sees the Updates tab disappear.
The new contacts tab is currently limited to select beta testers running the latest Google Play Store update. Because Meta is deploying the feature gradually, access remains restricted to a fraction of the test user base. t3n.de reported that the exact public release schedule remains unannounced.
The practical utility of the online status indicator depends heavily on individual privacy configurations. Many users restrict their last seen visibility, which limits how effectively the new contact list displays active statuses.