WhatsApp is working on a redesigned navigation experience for its Android app that could give Meta AI a more prominent position within the platform, as the messaging service continues to integrate artificial intelligence into its core interface.
The redesigned bottom navigation bar was spotted during the development of WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.38.10. The interface is still under development and is not yet available to beta testers, meaning its appearance and functionality could change before any wider release.
The proposed design gives the existing bottom navigation bar a floating appearance with rounded corners, visually separating it from the rest of the interface. It also introduces greater transparency and bears some similarities to the navigation system used on WhatsApp for iOS.
A more significant change involves Meta AI. Early versions of the redesign indicate that WhatsApp could integrate the AI assistant directly into the navigation bar instead of relying on a separate floating shortcut above the compose button. The interface remains unfinished, with Meta AI appearing in different positions in development screenshots.
WhatsApp has been experimenting with dedicated access to Meta AI for several months. Earlier this year, the platform began rolling out a Meta AI tab to some Android beta testers, providing a central location for AI-powered features. The hub allows users to interact with the assistant through text and voice, generate images, access previous conversations and use suggested prompts.
The company has also expanded what users can do with Meta AI inside WhatsApp. In May, WhatsApp began testing document sharing with the assistant, allowing some beta users to upload files and ask questions about their contents.
The latest navigation experiment also continues WhatsApp's broader effort to bring its Android and iOS interfaces closer together. Meta previously moved Android's primary navigation to the bottom of the screen, saying the placement was intended to make tabs easier to reach and provide more natural navigation.
WhatsApp has not announced when, or whether, the redesigned floating navigation bar will reach the stable Android app. Since the feature remains in development, its layout and Meta AI integration may be revised before a public release.
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