WhatsApp Tests New Android UI With Circular Tab Indicator for Bottom Navigation Bar

WhatsApp is continuing to reshape its Android interface, with a fresh tweak now being tested for the app’s upcoming bottom navigation bar. The latest change focuses on how the active tab is shown, moving from a wide pill-shaped highlight to a cleaner circular indicator behind the selected icon.

The redesigned navigation bar is still under development and is not available to regular users or beta testers yet. The change was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.41.7, where the new selection style appears as part of the same floating bottom bar that WhatsApp has been refining across recent test builds.

WhatsApp Testing New Android Navigation Bar Design

Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp Bottom Navigation Bar Gets Another Design Tweak

WhatsApp has been experimenting with a more modern bottom navigation bar for Android. Earlier test builds showed a floating bar with rounded corners, replacing the older full-width layout. The company later tested a label-free version, removing text from tabs and leaving only icons for sections such as Chats, Updates, Communities and Calls.

The new circular tab indicator is the latest sign that the design is not final. At present, the active tab in the experimental layout is marked by a pill-shaped background. In the newer version, WhatsApp uses a green circular shape to highlight the selected tab, making the icon stand out more clearly.

The change may look minor, but it affects how users read the interface. A pill indicator spreads horizontally behind the icon, while a circular marker keeps the highlight compact and symmetrical. It also appears closer to the selection treatment seen on WhatsApp for iOS, suggesting Meta may be seeking more consistency across platforms.

Why the New Tab Indicator Matters for Android Users

Navigation changes in WhatsApp usually receive close attention because the app is used daily by hundreds of millions of people in India. Even small interface adjustments can change how quickly users move between chats, calls, channels and communities. A clearer active-tab marker can reduce visual clutter while keeping key sections easy to identify.

The current Android app already uses bottom navigation for easier one-handed access, especially on larger phones. A floating, rounded bar would make the interface feel lighter, while removing labels could give the app more screen space. However, label-free navigation also depends heavily on icons being familiar and instantly recognisable.

That is why the active-tab indicator is important. If WhatsApp removes text labels, the visual cue showing where the user is becomes more noticeable. A bigger circular marker may help users understand their current section faster, particularly if they switch often between chats, calls and updates.

Release Timeline Remains Unclear

For now, there is no official release date for the redesigned WhatsApp bottom navigation bar on Android. The feature remains in development, which means it may change again before reaching beta testers or the stable app. WhatsApp often tests several versions of interface changes before choosing one for wider rollout.

Users should also avoid installing unofficial WhatsApp builds that claim to unlock unreleased design features. Interface experiments found in beta versions are not the same as public updates, and modified apps can carry privacy and security risks. The safest way to receive new WhatsApp features is through official updates from Google Play.

The circular tab indicator shows that WhatsApp is still fine-tuning the Android experience rather than preparing a finished release. If the design moves ahead, Android users may eventually see a cleaner bottom bar with floating edges, no labels and a more prominent selected-tab marker.