Users may have noticed something different on WhatsApp.
Your eyes don’t lie because something is definitely changing in the messaging app. WhatsApp is getting new updates to make it easier for its users.
WhatsApp is currently the world’s most widely used mobile communications program with over 2 billion monthly active users around the world.
Idit Yaniv, head of design at WhatsApp, explained why certain updates are being made and the process behind them.
So what are the new changes to WhatsApp?
New green color palette
The app’s design team is implementing a fresh, consistent green color scheme. After considering more than 35 color options, they decided to stick with WhatsApp’s signature green and adopt a color scheme that allows for harmonious color combinations throughout the app. To be more selective about where and how green is used, they also increased the use of neutral colors. In addition, the team found that users wanted a darker dark mode. To reduce eye strain in low light, they focused on richer tones and higher contrast.
Updated icons, illustrations and chat background
The updates also include changed animations to give it a more whimsical look. In addition, the designers are updating the conversations to use the original default background. The team found that while the Doodle was used by most people, there was room for improvement in terms of its uniqueness and applicability to everyday chat. After reviewing each piece of art in the Doodle, the team looked for new ideas that had a more streamlined aesthetic and more accurately represented a variety of people and objects.
Bottom navigation bar on Android
To help users find what they need faster, Android’s bottom navigation bar has been updated to look more modern. A new attachment structure on iOS makes sending photos and videos even easier. The full-screen menu has been replaced with an expanded bar to help users see features more easily when sharing documents, polls, media, and more.
Chat management
WhatsApp has added new features called chat fillers to help users focus and find important conversations faster. By moving the navigation bar down, they were able to design filters that appear at the top of the conversation list on Android.
Users can quickly find the relevant chats without having to search through their entire inbox. Users can also now choose between unread and group filters with a single tap to catch up on missed messages or favorite group discussions.
