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WhatsApp is testing two redesigned chat bars for Android, but neither version is available to beta testers yet. The work appears in beta update 2.26.41.11, reported by WABetaInfo on October 17, 2026. Both concepts move the message field above the emoji control and bring the circular send button inside the chat bar. WhatsApp has not announced which design it will choose or when any redesign will reach the public.
What WhatsApp is testing
The change is an interface experiment rather than a confirmed release. WhatsApp is evaluating two arrangements for the controls used when writing and sending messages in Android chats. The company may select one design, combine elements from both, or revise the layouts before distribution.
The report concerns Android beta version 2.26.41.11. Seeing that version mentioned does not mean every beta participant can use the new bar: the redesigned interface is still under development and was not enabled for beta testers when the report was published.
What both chat bar designs have in common
- Message field moves upward: The text input sits at the top of the chat bar.
- Emoji control moves below it: The emoji-keyboard button is positioned directly beneath the input area.
- Send becomes part of the bar: The circular send button is integrated into the chat bar instead of appearing as a separate control outside it.
These shared changes alter the bar’s vertical structure while preserving the same basic actions: composing a message, opening emoji, adding an attachment, using the camera and sending.
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The two layouts compared
| Element | Design one | Design two |
|---|---|---|
| Emoji button | On the right | On the left |
| Attachment control | On the left, next to send | On the left with emoji and camera |
| Camera control | On the left, next to send | On the left with emoji and attachment |
| Send button | Integrated into the bar; grouped with the left-side controls | Integrated into the bar; the only control on the right |
| Overall character | Closer to the familiar arrangement | More minimal, with a single right-side action |
Design one: familiar controls with a new structure
The first concept keeps the emoji button on the right, which preserves a major part of the arrangement many users already recognize. Attachment and camera controls sit on the left beside the send button. Although the text field and send-button placement change, the distribution of supporting controls remains comparatively familiar.
Design two: a cleaner left-right split
The second concept groups emoji, attachment and camera on the left. The right side contains only the send button, creating a simpler visual hierarchy. This may make the send action easier to distinguish at a glance, while placing the other tools together in one cluster.
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Can Android users try the redesigned bar now?
No. The redesign was not enabled for beta testers in the reported build. Installing or joining WhatsApp’s Android beta therefore does not guarantee access to either concept. Availability can also vary by account and server-side rollout, so a future beta activation may not reach every tester at the same time.
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When will the new WhatsApp chat bar be released?
There is no announced public release date. The two-layout test indicates that WhatsApp has not finalized the interface. Until the company confirms a rollout, users should treat screenshots or reports of the concepts as development work rather than a scheduled Android feature.
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What this means for current users
The existing Android chat bar remains the usable interface while testing continues. No action is required, and changing devices or reinstalling WhatsApp will not provide a confirmed route to the experimental designs. If one version is eventually released, the placement of emoji, camera and attachment controls may differ from both concepts shown in the test.
WABetaInfo’s report did not include user counts, performance measurements, formal usability results or a statement from WhatsApp or Meta. The available evidence establishes the layouts being tested, not which arrangement users prefer or whether the redesign improves typing, accessibility or message speed.
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