WhatsApp is working on a new design for the bottom navigation bar on its Android app. The new design will have a floating bar with rounded corners. This could give the app a cleaner and more modern look.

Back in 2023, WhatsApp first added the bottom navigation bar to Android. It moved important sections such as Chats, Communities, Updates, and Calls to the bottom of the screen. This made it easier for users to move between different sections.

Now, WhatsApp is testing a new look for this bar. Instead of being connected to the bottom of the screen, the new bar will appear like a separate floating box. It will have rounded corners and a simple design.

Image via WABetaInfo

The new Android design also looks a little like the navigation bar on WhatsApp for iPhone. However, WhatsApp may not use the same transparent look on Android. The company could make more changes before releasing the final version.

The new navigation bar is being tested with both light and dark themes. WhatsApp may also change its design based on testing and user feedback.

The new design was spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.38.10. It is still being developed, so it is not available to all beta users yet. WhatsApp may release it to some users in a future update.

WhatsApp is preparing another small but useful addition to its upcoming Contacts tab. WhatsApp is testing birthday reminders that could make it easier to notice when someone in your address book has their birthday.

WABetaInfo spotted the feature in WhatsApp Beta for iOS version 26.38.10.18, currently available through TestFlight. Rather than asking users to maintain a separate birthday list inside WhatsApp, the app appears to pull this information from the iPhone’s Contacts app.

Birthday reminders will appear beside contacts

When a saved contact has a birthday, WhatsApp will highlight that person in the Contacts tab with a cake emoji and a “Birthday today” label. The indicator is expected to remain visible throughout the day, prompting users to start a conversation and send their wishes.

There is no need to manually add the birthday inside WhatsApp. If the date is already stored in the contact’s address-book information, WhatsApp can use it automatically. Users can also add or edit a birthday through the iPhone’s Contacts app.

The birthday feature is being developed alongside a broader overhaul of WhatsApp’s navigation. The company is working on moving Status updates and Channels into the Chats section, which would free up space for a dedicated Contacts tab.

The feature is still under development, so its final design and availability could change before release. WhatsApp has not announced a public rollout date, and beta availability is expected to come first.

WhatsApp has started rolling out a new offline voice-to-text feature in Beta. The message won’t be sent without internet; the mechanism won’t require an internet connection.

WABetaInfo spotted WhatsApp bringing a voice-to-text messaging feature. Users will be able to dictate text messages, ending the need to send voice messages to the receiver.

The benefit: the sender will have to say what should be sent, while the receiver won’t be required to hear and know what the message is; the transcription will be supplied.

WhatsApp has ended the requirement of internet by deploying this voice-to-text messaging through language packs, which are needed to be downloaded during initial setup.

Beta testers received the voice-to-text feature on version 2.26.37.8. The function will remain in the testing phase for a few weeks. Once the stability milestone is achieved, it will be provided to users through a future app update.

WhatsApp will place a new button right within the chat bar. This button will let users transcribe their voice message and send it as a text message. The first time users use this feature, WhatsApp will show a short intro screen to explain how it works.

Beyond English, the feature could support German, French, Italian, Japanese, and additional English variants. The app downloads these packs locally on the device to make transcriptions work without an Internet connection.

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• WhatApp to soon introduce redesigned media picker

WhatsApp is giving Android users more control over how their chats look, with a redesigned collection of themes and wallpapers now reaching beta testers.

WhatsApp bringing new chat themes, wallpapers

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is rolling out through WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.26.37.6. The updated theme picker organizes options into categories including Featured, Nature, Live, Minimal, and Doodle. This makes it easier to find a visual style instead of scrolling through a single collection.

The Live section is particularly interesting because it adds animated wallpapers. The motion is deliberately subtle, keeping the background from becoming a distraction while messages remain the focus.

Credits: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is also separating wallpapers from complete chat themes. Users can therefore change the background independently, with additional Vibrant and Gradient collections available alongside the themed options. Personal images and AI-generated wallpapers remain alternatives for users who want something more personal.

WhatsApp handles bubble colors automatically

WhatsApp selects a complementary bubble color based on the chosen theme or wallpaper, helping maintain readability without requiring users to manually adjust the interface. Users can still change the color if they prefer another look.

This builds on WhatsApp’s broader push toward chat customization. Meta introduced chat themes in 2025, including AI-assisted options for creating personalized designs.

For now, the expanded themes are rolling out gradually to Android Beta testers, so seeing version 2.26.37.6 does not guarantee immediate access. WhatsApp is expected to expand availability in the coming weeks, although a stable-release date has not been confirmed.

WhatsApp is adding more languages to its voice message transcription feature on Android. This feature allows users to read a voice message as text without listening to the audio.

The new languages are under testing in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.37.5. The update is available to some beta testers through the Google Play Store. WhatsApp is releasing the feature slowly, so it may not be available to everyone yet.

WhatsApp is adding more language options for English, German, French, Italian, and Japanese. These are being added to languages that were already supported, including Arabic, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, and Russian.

Voice transcriptions can be helpful in many situations. For example, users can read a voice message when they are in a meeting, in a quiet place, or when they do not want to play the audio.

Image via WABetaInfo

WhatsApp uses language packs to turn voice messages into text. These packs are downloaded and stored on the user’s phone. This means the audio does not have to be sent to a third-party service for transcription, helping keep the process private.

Users can download a language pack when they first turn on voice transcriptions. They can also manage their downloaded language packs from WhatsApp settings.

Once a language pack is downloaded, users can transcribe voice messages even without an internet connection. If a voice message is in a language that has not been downloaded, WhatsApp can ask the user to download the required pack.

The new language support is currently being rolled out to Android beta testers. WhatsApp has not confirmed when it will be available to all users. The company may also add more languages in future updates.