Meta is working on a major redesign of the WhatsApp interface for Android and iOS. Status updates and subscribed channels are set to move directly into the main chat list, which could completely eliminate the current Updates tab.
Three variants for channels in the chat overview
According to recent reports, WhatsApp is evaluating three different models for merging channels with regular messages:
- Channels are listed directly among normal conversations.
- Subscribed content can be displayed specifically via a separate filter.
- Channels are bundled in a dedicated folder.
Users will reportedly still be able to subscribe to channels or move them to the archive as needed. Indications of the option to move channels to the Chats section surfaced in Android beta version 2.26.39.1, among others, though it was not yet actively enabled for beta testers. However, some early users have already reported test runs where status updates were placed directly above the chat list.
New Contacts tab with birthday reminders
If the current Updates tab is dropped, the space in the navigation bar will likely not remain empty: the messenger is testing a separate Contacts section instead. This is intended to offer faster access to the address book and show the online status of contacts.
Additionally, testers discovered an integrated birthday reminder in iOS beta version 26.38.10.18. WhatsApp accesses the smartphone’s address book for this: if a contact has a birthday on that day, their name is marked with a cake emoji and the note “Birthday today”. The indicator is expected to remain visible throughout the day and could eventually be integrated into the contact details as well.
Context and outlook
By merging these elements, WhatsApp places channels and status updates even more prominently into daily view. Previously, these features were isolated in the separate Updates tab, where Meta already displays advertisements. In the current test versions of the new bar, no ads have been observed so far. Alongside interface tests, the company already offers the paid subscription WhatsApp Plus for 2.50 Swiss francs per month in select countries such as Switzerland.
Those using the messenger on a computer—whether through official channels or third-party programs such as the ZapFast desktop client—are not directly affected by these mobile experiments for now.
Meta has not officially announced when or to what extent the new design will be rolled out to all regular users. Since the features are still in closed development and beta stages, the design and scope of functionality may change before a final release. Users do not need to adjust any settings at this time.
Sources: Borncity.com
