WhatsApp recently introduced a new navigation bar at the bottom of the app interface. This new navigation bar replaces the old tabbed design and aims to provide quick access to key features while decluttering the interface. The updated navigation bar displays just four tabs – Camera, Chats, Status, and Calls.
Why Did WhatsApp Change the Navigation Bar?
There are a few likely reasons behind WhatsApp’s decision to revamp the navigation bar:
- Simplify the interface – The old tabbed design had up to 5 tabs, making the navigation somewhat cluttered. The new 4-tab layout streamlines the most used features.
- Improve one-handed use – With wider smartphone screens, reaching the top tabs required stretching your thumb. The bottom bar makes one-handed use easier.
- Highlight important features – Positioning Camera, Chats, Status and Calls tabs at the bottom provides quick access to WhatsApp’s core features.
- Follow mobile design trends – Bottom navigation bars have become more common in popular apps. WhatsApp likely wanted to adhere to current mobile UI standards.
Overall, the goal seems to be providing a cleaner and more user-friendly interface optimized for larger smartphone screens.
A Closer Look at the New Navigation Bar
Let’s examine the four tabs on the new WhatsApp navigation bar:
Camera Tab
The camera tab opens the in-app camera. From here, you can take photos/videos and share them directly into chats or statuses.
Positioning this front-and-center makes the camera more accessible for quick photos. It replaces the Calls tab from the old design.
Chats Tab
The Chats tab shows your message threads and is the main section for sending/receiving WhatsApp messages. Tapping this tab opens your chat list.
This tab replaces the Chats tab from the old interface and continues to be the app’s core feature.
Status Tab
The Status tab lets you view status updates from your contacts. It also allows posting your own text, photo, or video status updates.
This tab has simply replaced the Status tab from the previous navigation bar.
Calls Tab
The Calls tab displays your call history and dialer to make WhatsApp calls. Tapping the tab opens your call logs.
While previously third after Chats and Camera, Calls is now last in the new navigation setup.
How to Use the New Navigation Bar
Using the updated WhatsApp navigation bar is simple:
- To open a feature, just tap its icon in the navigation bar. For example, tap Camera to access the in-app camera.
- To return to Chats (your messages), tap the Chats icon from any other screen.
- You may need to get used to the new order of the tabs. But the icons make the features easy to identify.
- Swipe left or right on the navigation bar to quickly switch between tabs.
- The navigation bar remains persistent on all screens so you can always switch features.
With just four large icons, the new navigation setup is clean and easy to use. You no longer need to reach to the top of big screens.
Customizing the Navigation Bar
While not directly customizable, there are a couple useful tweaks you can make to the new WhatsApp navigation bar:
Change Tab Order
You can rearrange the order of the four tabs as per your preference:
- Long press on any of the tab icons.
- Once icons start wiggling, drag and drop them into your preferred order.
- The new order will be saved once you close WhatsApp.
This allows placing your most used features first in the navigation bar.
Add Shortcut for Web Version
You can add a shortcut to quickly launch the WhatsApp Web version:
- Long press on the Calls tab icon.
- A + icon will appear. Tap it.
- Search and select the WhatsApp Web shortcut from the list.
- The icon will now be added to the navigation bar.
Having the web shortcut makes switching between mobile and computer easier.
pros and Cons of the New Navigation Bar
Here are some key pros and cons of the redesigned navigation bar in WhatsApp:
Pros
- Cleaner interface with just four tabs
- Easier to reach at the bottom on big screens
- Faster one-handed use on-the-go
- Camera is now directly accessible
- Customizable tab order
- Can add WhatsApp Web shortcut
Cons
- Call tab is now less accessible
- Takes some time to adjust to new tab order
- No option to add fifth tab or customize icons
- Easier to accidentally trigger tabs at the bottom
Overall, the refreshed navigation bar provides a cleaner user experience, even if it takes some adjusting to the new tab positions.
Tips for Adjusting to the New Navigation Bar
For many longtime WhatsApp users, the navigation change requires reshaping engrained habits. Here are some tips for adjusting:
- Use each tab consciously – Take time to re-familiarize yourself with the purpose of each tab.
- Consider most used features – Rearrange tabs so your most frequently used features are first.
- Practice swiping – Swipe horizontally on the bar to quickly switch tabs until it’s second nature.
- Give it time – Don’t rush, adjusting your muscle memory takes patience and practice.
- Enable hints – Turn on WhatApp’s hints to briefly explain each tab’s function.
With active practice, the updated navigation bar will start feeling natural in no time.
WhatsApp Web Navigation
The redesigned bottom navigation bar is limited only to WhatsApp mobile apps on Android and iOS. The WhatsApp Web version retains the old tabbed interface at the top.
So when using WhatsApp Web accessed through a browser, you’ll still see the familiar Chats, Status, Calls and Settings tabs you’re accustomed to.
The divergent interfaces allow optimizing navigation for the device. But it does mean relearning location of features when switching between WhatsApp on mobile and Web.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s introduction of an all-new navigation bar aims to streamline the mobile interface for easier one-handed use. The updated bottom bar provides quick access to key features like Camera, Chats, Status and Calls.
While adjustment is needed after years of top tabs muscle memory, the new system offers a cleaner and optimized navigation experience catered to large smartphones. With time, it should begin feeling second nature.