How do I change the navigation bar on whatsapp?

The navigation bar in WhatsApp allows you to easily switch between different parts of the app like chats, calls, camera etc. By default, WhatsApp shows a tab bar with 4 icons – Camera, Chats, Status, Calls. You can customize this tab bar to show only the features you use often. Here’s how to change the navigation bar on WhatsApp.

Understanding the WhatsApp Navigation Bar

The navigation bar in WhatsApp appears at the bottom of the app screen. It contains icons that let you quickly jump between the main sections of WhatsApp.

By default, there are 4 icons in the WhatsApp navigation bar:

• Camera – Opens the camera to capture photos/videos.
• Chats – Shows your message threads and chats.
• Status – Lets you view status updates from contacts.
• Calls – Shows call history and dialer to make calls.

This navigation bar is visible from all screens in WhatsApp. Tapping any icon takes you to that section of the app.

However, you may not use all the sections equally. For example, you may rarely make voice/video calls on WhatsApp. In such cases, the Calls tab just takes up space in the navigation bar.

Luckily, WhatsApp allows you to customize the icons shown in the navigation bar. You can remove the sections you don’t need and keep only the ones you use frequently. This declutters the interface and makes one-handed use easier.

How to Edit Navigation Bar on WhatsApp

WhatsApp has a built-in option to edit the navigation bar. Using this, you can add or remove tabs as per your preference. Here are the steps to customize the WhatsApp navigation bar on Android and iOS devices:

On Android

1. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
2. Tap on the 3-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings from the menu.
4. In Settings, tap on Chats.
5. Tap on Navigation Bar.
6. You will see the 4 default tabs – Camera, Chats, Status and Calls.
7. To remove a tab, tap on the checkbox next to it to uncheck it.
8. To add a tab, tap on the checkbox to check it.
9. The available tabs are Camera, Chats, Status, Calls and Payments. Select the ones you need.
10. Once done, tap on OK to save the changes.

Your updated navigation bar will now show in WhatsApp. Repeat the steps to make further changes.

On iPhone

1. Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Settings at the bottom right.
3. Go to the Chats section in Settings.
4. Tap on Navigation Bar.
5. You will see the default tabs – Camera, Chats, Status and Calls.
6. To remove a tab, tap on the red circle next to it.
7. To add a tab, tap on the green plus icon.
8. The available tabs are Camera, Chats, Status and Calls. Select the ones you need.
9. Once done, tap on Back to save changes.

This will update the WhatsApp navigation bar on your iPhone as per your settings. Follow the steps again to change it further.

Adding Navigation Bar to Specific Chats

In addition to the main navigation bar, you can also add a tab bar to specific chats in WhatsApp. This is useful when you have long conversations and need quick access to certain actions.

For example, you can add Phone and Video call buttons in a family group, or add Media, Links and GIF buttons in a friends’ chat.

To add navigation bar to a chat:

1. Open the chat in WhatsApp.
2. Tap on the contact’s name at the top.
3. Tap on More options > Customize.
4. Tap on Navigation Bar.
5. Select the tabs you want to add from the list.
6. Arrange the tabs in your preferred order.
7. Tap on Done to save the customized navigation bar.

This navigation bar will now show whenever you open that particular chat. You can follow the same steps to edit or remove the customized bar.

Getting Used to the New Navigation Bar

When you first change the WhatsApp navigation bar, it may feel a bit unfamiliar. Here are some tips to quickly get used to it:

• Use the new navigation bar for at least 3-4 days to let your muscle memory adapt.
• If you accidentally tap on the old icon positions, use that as a reminder for the new layout.
• If you removed some tabs, look for alternative ways to access those features, like from the main menu.
• Add icons that you need quickly accessible to the customized chat bars.
• Enable vibrate feedback to help your fingers identify the new positions.
• Stick to the customized bar for 10-15 chats before changing it again.

With regular usage, your fingers will automatically go to the new icon positions. The customized navigation bar will start feeling natural.

Troubleshooting Tips

When changing the navigation bar, you may encounter some issues like:

• Icons moving positions: WhatsApp sometimes resets the customized navigation order after an update. Redo the steps to arrange your preferred icons.
• Missing icons: Make sure you enabled the icon after removing it earlier. Fully close and reopen WhatsApp if it’s still missing.
• Too many tabs: Limit to 4-5 tabs in the main navbar for easy access. Add extra options to chat-specific bars.
• Accidental taps: Give yourself time to adjust to the new positions. Consider revamping if too inconvenient.

You can also contact WhatsApp support if the customized bar is not working properly despite the troubleshooting steps.

Customizing Other Parts of WhatsApp

Along with the navigation bar, WhatsApp also lets you customize other aspects of the app:

• Chat wallpaper: Set custom wallpaper for default or specific chats.
• Notification tones: Change notification sounds and vibrations for contacts.
• Chat bubbles: Make your primary chat bubbles square-shaped instead of round.
• Home screen widgets: Add WhatsApp widgets to your phone’s home screen for quick access.
• Theme color: Choose between light and dark theme for WhatsApp.

Explore these personalization features to make WhatsApp your own. A customized navigation bar goes a long way in improving the WhatsApp experience as per your preferences.