WhatsApp rolls out big design changes on iOS, Android, here's all that's new

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most popular mode of instant messaging in the world. To keep the look of the app fresh, WhatsApp is rolling out new design changes. Idit Yaniv, VP, Head of WhatsApp Design, Meta said that over the years, Meta has primarily focused on adding utility to the app. “As the product continued to grow in functionality, the design needed to evolve as well. We wanted the product to feel more fresh and modern without disrupting its core functionality,” said Yaniv in a blog post.

Keeping that in mind, WhatsApp is introducing a new, consistent green palette within the app. Meta said that it considered over 35 different colour iterations, “ultimately aligning with WhatsApp’s iconic green and opting for a palette that allows for harmonious colour pairings throughout the app”. Meta has also increased the usage of neutral colours, which allowed it to be more selective about where and how the green is used.

The dark mode in WhatsApp is also getting darker as it now has higher contrast and deeper tones to reduce eye strain in low-light environments. “We’re making it one shade darker for improved visual appeal and legibility” said Yaniv.

The app icons have also been updated to a more rounded form and it matches the new iconography. WhatsApp also gets an added animation for a more playful aesthetic.

Furthermore, the default background has also been refreshed in chats. “We learned most people used the doodle, but there was an opportunity to make this even more unique and more related to everyday conversations,” said Yaniv.

On iOS, sending photos and videos is now also easier with a new attachment layout. Instead of a full screen menu, Meta has added an expandable tray that allows users to see the features more clearly when sending media, polls, documents and more.

On Android, the bottom navigation bar is now more ‘modern’ and easily accessible.