Last year, reports surfaced about WhatsApp working on a new interface for its Web client, featuring a sidebar and a dark mode. Now, recent updates indicate that the revamped design has started to roll out to select users, marking a significant development in the platform’s evolution.
According to a report by the WhatsApp update tracker WABetaInfo, the new WhatsApp Web feature is currently being made available to some users who have enrolled in the Web client’s beta program. While not all beta program participants have received the update yet, its limited rollout suggests that a public release may be imminent.
The revamped interface doesn’t introduce new features but instead reorganizes the layout of different sections within the platform into a neatly designed sidebar. Notably, screenshots shared by the publication reveal that the new WhatsApp Web interface also includes a dark mode option, catering to users who prefer a black-background-white-text format for enhanced readability.
The sidebar prominently displays icons for various sections, including Chats, Communities, Status Updates, Channels, Archived Chats, Starred Messages, and Broadcasted messages. This layout adjustment aims to offer improved navigation, particularly for accessing Starred messages and Archived chats, which previously required multiple clicks to access.
With the new interface currently being tested by beta users, it’s anticipated that the feature could roll out to all users in the coming weeks. This development comes amidst Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance WhatsApp’s functionality and user experience.
In addition to the new interface, recent reports also highlight Meta’s introduction of Meta AI chatbot on WhatsApp for users in India. The feature, initially spotted by Gadgets 360, has since been extended to Instagram and Messenger, indicating Meta’s broader strategy to integrate AI-powered functionalities across its platforms.
Furthermore, previous reports suggested that WhatsApp was working on a link privacy feature, allowing users to disable link previews to protect their privacy. This feature aims to prevent unintended exposure of information through link thumbnails and short descriptions, catering to users’ privacy concerns within the messaging platform.
As WhatsApp continues to introduce new features and enhancements, users can expect a more streamlined and personalized messaging experience, reaffirming the platform’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction.