WhatsApp is preparing to revamp the settings menu in its Android app. Find out what the new design entails and when it might become available to users.

WhatsApp is planning to update the look of its Android app. The company is working on a new design for the settings menu, where, instead of displaying all options in one long, continuous list, they will be organized into distinct, redesigned sections. These sections will feature rounded corners, making it easier to identify related options. This change is reportedly based on Google’s "Material Design 3 Expressive" system. However, the new interface is still in the early stages of development and is not yet available even to beta testers.

What Will Change in WhatsApp’s Settings Menu?

According to reports, the new settings design has been spotted in the Android beta version 2.26.43.3 of WhatsApp—a version linked to the beta program on the Google Play Store. In this new layout, settings options will be grouped together. Each group will be enclosed in a box with rounded corners, helping users better understand which options are related and where one section ends.

Rounded Corners for Settings Options

In the new interface, not all settings will look the same. Options at the top of a group will have more pronounced rounded corners at the top, while those at the bottom will feature rounded corners at the base. Options positioned in the middle will appear connected to one another. Essentially, rather than presenting every setting as an individual card, related options will be grouped together within a single box.

Based on Google’s Design System

This new look for WhatsApp is being developed in accordance with Google’s "Material Design 3 Expressive" guidelines. This design system dictates the appearance of elements such as lists, buttons, and navigation bars in Android apps. It allows for the corner radius of list items to adjust based on their position within a list. WhatsApp is leveraging this approach to make its settings menu more organized.

Changes to Account and Privacy Settings

This new design is not expected to be limited solely to WhatsApp’s main settings page. According to reports, it may also be applied to sections such as Account, Privacy, and Notifications, ensuring a consistent design language across various parts of the app’s settings.

Updates to the Bottom Navigation Bar and Chat Bar

WhatsApp is also working on other interface changes for its Android app. These include a new bottom navigation bar that can shrink into a pill-shaped design when scrolling down, and expand back to its full size when scrolling up. Additionally, there are plans to revamp the design of the chat bar.