WhatsApp Tests New Contacts Tab on Android Beta
WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a new Contacts tab for its Android app. The feature gives some beta testers a dedicated section to find and manage people they can message. It replaces the Communities tab in the bottom navigation bar. Users can organise and sort their saved contacts from this section. The rollout is expected to reach more beta users over the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not yet announced when the feature will arrive for all users.
Features of the New Contacts Tab
WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.45.2 introduces the Contacts tab, according to WABetaInfo. The company is replacing the Communities tab in the bottom navigation for select beta testers. The new section lets users browse their saved contacts and start conversations directly. They no longer need to switch to the Chats screen for this purpose.
Favourites appear at the top of the Contacts section. The rest of the saved contacts follow below. Users may sort the list alphabetically, by birthdays, or by activity. The activity filter places online contacts first and marks them with a green dot. Other entries arrange themselves by last seen information, based on each user’s privacy settings.
Additional Tools in the Tab
The report also mentions a Meta AI shortcut within the new tab. Users may receive options to share WhatsApp invite links. They can also invite their Instagram followers to chat on the platform. A button at the bottom allows users to add contacts using a name, username, or phone number. Phone-number-based contacts can be saved directly to the device’s address book.
Current Availability
WABetaInfo states that the feature is rolling out through the Google Play beta programme. It is available to users running WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.45.2. The release remains limited at this stage. It is still unclear when the new Contacts tab will reach the stable Android version of the app. WhatsApp has not issued an official statement on the broader timeline.
Leave a Reply