(This article is authored by Alar) 

WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, is working on a major redesign of its user interface that will follow the Material You design guidelines introduced by Google with Android 12. The latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.12.15 reveals that the app is planning to revamp the floating action button that lets you start a new chat instantly.

The floating action button, located in the bottom right corner of the app, currently has a circular shape with a green background and a white plus sign. According to WABetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp updates, the new button will have a square shape with slightly rounded edges and a gradient color that matches the system theme. The same redesign will also apply to the buttons in the calls and status tabs.

This change is part of a larger overhaul of WhatsApp’s interface that started with the introduction of a bottom navigation bar and new toggles that follow the Material Design 3 principles. These principles aim to create more adaptive, expressive and dynamic interfaces that respond to user preferences and contexts.

WhatsApp has not announced when the new design will be available to all users, but it is expected to roll out gradually in future updates.  WhatsApp has been working on a new look for its app that follows the Material Design 3 guidelines by Google.

The app also has already rolled out a new interface with a bottom navigation bar for some users, indicating that it is revamping the whole app. The app also introduced new toggles that match the Material Design 3 principles in a previous update.

And working on other features such as multi-device support, disappearing messages mode and voice message transcription. WhatsApp has over 2 billion users worldwide and is one of the most popular apps in the Meta family.