WhatsApp 2.23.16.17 Beta Update for Android Devices Rolling Out: Bottom Navigation Tab for More Users

WhatsApp has started to roll out a new beta update to all its beta testers via the Google Play Beta Program and with the new update, the bottom navigation bar which was only available to a few users, will now be made available to more.

Read more about it below.

WhatsApp 2.23.16.17 Beta Update

The previous 2.23.15.24 beta update for WhatsApp that was rolled out to many beta testers had brought a lot of changes to the user interface of the app and one of the most exciting updates was the bottom navigation bar. However, it should be noted that not all who updated WhatsApp with the 2.23.15.24 beta update got the chance to experience this, except for a few. Now the latest beta update, the 2.23.16.17 beta update that is currently being rolled out, will let more beta testers experience it, but with a cost.

If we look into the previous 2.23.15.24 beta update, the UI changes that were brought in were according to the guidelines of Material Design 3. Some of the notable changes were new toggles, re-designed floating action buttons, and rounded menus & alerts.

The latest beta update that is currently being rolled out is also aligned with Material Design 3 and, as per the rules specified, one of the features that WhatsApp had has been disabled. Users, after updating with the latest beta update, won’t be able to swipe to switch between tabs.

It is not sure whether the feature will return back to WhatsApp or not and the only thing that we can do is to wait and hope for the feature to be rolled-out again.

You may check out more about the latest beta update via the link below.

📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.17: what's new?

WhatsApp is widely rolling out a tweaked interface with the bottom navigation bar, and it’s available to more beta testers starting today! They're also disabling the ability to swipe between tabs.https://t.co/X61CmDVhdQ pic.twitter.com/D5H1l2vtKM

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) August 4, 2023