Overview
- WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is trying a new chat screen that adds a frosted, glass-like input bar that appears to float and a transparent top navigation area.
- The new look is available to only some beta users, and many people still see the current design.
- WhatsApp is updating the in-chat voice note player to fit the new style before it expands the rollout.
- In separate trials, WhatsApp is offering backups on its own servers with mandatory encryption and a passkey set as the default.
- WhatsApp has set September 8, 2026 to end support for Android 5.0 and 5.1, which will stop those devices from using the app.