June 15, 2026, 2:45 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
WhatsApp is working on a change to the user interface for Android. In a current beta version of the messenger, a new message menu appears, aiming to bring important functions closer to the respective content. The goal is to make frequently used actions more accessible without altering the basic operation of the app.
Functions Move Closer to the Message
Many users regularly access functions such as reply, forward, copy, or delete. So far, WhatsApp has distributed these commands across different areas of the interface. Some options are located in the top app bar, while others are only accessible through an additional menu.
With the new approach, important actions will appear directly near the selected message. When a message is marked, the revised menu opens immediately at the corresponding content. Frequently used functions are readily available there. Less frequently needed commands are moved by WhatsApp to the “More” section. This is intended to make the interface appear tidier and the desired action quicker to select.
Basic Operation Remains Unchanged
For Android users, according to current information, the main change is in the display. The familiar processes for selecting and editing messages remain intact. WhatsApp is simply reorganizing the existing functions and placing them closer to the selected message.
This is intended to make selecting the appropriate action easier. Users will no longer need to switch as much between the actual content and the top app bar. A comprehensive overhaul of the operation is not planned at this time.
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Hints About the Function Have Existed for Years
As the online magazine “WABetaInfo” reports, the new interface is not a spontaneous development. Initial hints about the revised message menu appeared as early as 2023. At that time, the function was still in the development phase.
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It is also notable that WhatsApp has been using a similar context-based menu on the iPhone for quite some time. Why the introduction on Android is taking significantly longer remains unclear. According to the report, it is conceivable that WhatsApp is particularly careful when making changes to frequently used areas.
Activation Initially Only for Selected Users
There is currently no date for the general rollout. According to WABetaInfo, the innovation is currently in the WhatsApp beta for Android with version number 2.26.23.8. The test is currently only running for a portion of the beta testers.
Even users who have already installed the current beta version via the Google Play Store do not automatically receive the function. In the coming weeks, the redesign is expected to be gradually activated for more testers.