WhatsApp is working on a new look for its Android app, and Meta AI is a big part of it. An early beta shows a rounder, oval-shaped bottom bar with more transparency and a dedicated spot for Meta AI.
The change has not reached everyone. It is in early internal development and not yet available to all public beta testers. Treat it as a preview, not a finished update.
New AI Placement
WABetaInfo spotted the new design in WhatsApp Beta version 2.26.38.10 for Android, which is on the Google Play Store. The new bar works in both light and dark modes.
Right now, Meta AI sits on a floating button above the compose button. Published images show it moving into the navigation bar instead.
Key Details
Here is what the beta reportedly shows:
- Floating pill-shaped bar. It has heavily rounded corners and doesn’t stretch across the full bottom width like today’s bar.
- More transparency. The bar is more oval and see-through, close to the iOS version but not fully transparent.
- No glass effect. It follows Google’s Material Design 3 rules rather than Apple’s Liquid Glass look.
- Meta AI gets a fixed place. It could get its own tab, while the Communities option may be removed from the bar.
That last point is a leak-based report, not confirmed. Don’t count on Communities disappearing yet.
AI Takes Center Stage
The redesign may not change how you send or receive messages. The real story is where WhatsApp wants AI to live. Navigation bars are usually kept for features developers expect people to use often. Giving Meta AI a permanent slot says Meta wants it front and center.
That makes it easier to reach. It could also annoy people who want a simple chat app. A permanent AI entry may raise concerns among users who prefer a simpler messaging interface.
Not Final Yet
The beta itself hints that the design is unfinished. The screenshot shows two Meta AI icons, so the final placement isn’t confirmed. That duplication suggests WhatsApp is testing the new spot before removing or changing the older button. Beta features often change before launch. Some are delayed or dropped before they reach the stable version.
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Availability
There is no official release date. WhatsApp often tests interface changes for weeks or longer before releasing them widely. For now, only some Android beta testers can see it. I found no official statement from Meta or WhatsApp on the redesign, so everything here comes from beta findings.
Official Statements
None so far. The details come from beta app analysis and reports by WABetaInfo and GSMArena, as picked up by other outlets. We will update this article if Meta comments.
AI Integration
WhatsApp has been pushing Meta AI deeper into the app for a while, and this is one more step. It also brings Android closer to the iOS design, so both platforms feel more alike.
If the AI tab makes it to the final version, expect a debate. Some users will like the quick access. Others will want an option to hide it. Whether WhatsApp offers that choice is still unknown.
Final Thoughts
This is a small visual change with a big message. Meta wants AI to be one of WhatsApp’s main destinations, not a side button. But it is an early beta with a double Meta AI icon, so the final design could look different.
Will you use a Meta AI tab, or would you rather keep the bar for chats?
