WhatsApp is testing a new floating menu bar at the bottom

WhatsApp is testing a new look for the menu bar at the bottom of the app. Instead of sitting flat against the bottom edge of the screen, the bar would float slightly above it. The report comes from Sammy Fans, a site that tracks app changes before they roll out widely.

What changed

That bottom bar is the row of buttons you tap to move between sections of the app, such as chats, updates and calls. The report says the bar would now float rather than sit flush with the screen. It is a change to how the menu looks and sits on the screen. The material does not say the sections themselves are changing.

Who it affects

Anyone who opens WhatsApp daily could notice it, since the bottom bar is one of the most used parts of the app. The buttons you tap most may look and feel a little different, so expect a short adjustment period once it reaches your phone.

What is not known yet

• When the new bar will reach everyone, or whether it will at all.
• Which phones, iPhone or Android, will see it first.
• Whether the buttons will change in size, order or color.
• Whether users will be able to switch back to the old look.

What happens next

Features that are being tested do not always reach every user, and designs can change before a wider release. For now, nothing needs to be done. If the floating bar shows up after an app update, it is the same menu in a new spot.