WhatsApp is working on a redesigned settings menu for Android users, with a new layout that groups related options inside rounded sections. The update aims to make the app’s settings easier to navigate while giving its interface a more modern appearance.
The redesigned menu was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.43.3, according to reports. The new interface follows Google’s Material Design 3 Expressive guidelines, which change the look of lists and other interface elements.
The feature remains under development and is not yet available to beta testers. WhatsApp has also not announced when it will roll out the redesigned menu to users through a public update.
The biggest change involves how WhatsApp displays its settings options. The current interface presents different categories in a largely straightforward list. Under the proposed design, related options will appear together inside rounded containers.
Each group will have distinct rounded edges to help users identify where one section ends and another begins. Options within the same group will appear connected, while the edges of the first and last items will have more prominent curves.
This approach is based on Material Design 3 Expressive, Google's design system for Android applications. It uses shapes and spacing to create clearer visual groups, which may make longer menus easier to scan on a smartphone screen.
The redesign is primarily visual. There is no indication that WhatsApp is adding new settings or changing the functions available through the menu.
The updated design is expected to extend beyond WhatsApp's main settings screen. Sections such as Account, Privacy and Notifications are also likely to adopt the rounded layout.
These menus contain controls for managing personal information, account security, message alerts, and other preferences. Grouping options into clearly separated sections could help users find specific controls without scanning a continuous list.
The changes may also make the settings interface more consistent across the app. However, the reported update does not currently add new privacy protections or security tools. Its main focus is how it presents existing options.
The settings redesign is part of wider interface changes being explored for WhatsApp on Android. The messaging platform is also developing a dynamic bottom navigation bar that shrinks into a compact pill when users scroll down and expands again when they scroll up.
A redesigned chat bar is reportedly in development as well. Together, these changes suggest that WhatsApp is reviewing several parts of its interface rather than making a single isolated adjustment. However, the features remain works in progress, and their final appearance or availability could change before release.
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WhatsApp has not confirmed a rollout date for the redesigned settings menu. Since the feature is still under development, Android users may have to wait for further testing before it becomes available.
For now, the update points to a cleaner visual organization rather than a major change in functionality. If released, it could make WhatsApp's growing settings menu easier to navigate while bringing the app closer to Google's latest Android design guidelines.