Following a few months of Liquid Glass beta testing, WhatsApp is expanding access to a redesigned interface for its iPad app, including a new Mac-like sidebar. Here are the details.
Although WhatsApp initially started working on adapting its iOS app for the Liquid Glass visual overhaul last October, the company only brought the redesign to iPad much later, with a limited beta test last June.
At the time, WABetaInfo reported that the redesign included Liquid Glass-style tabs, buttons, and context menus, while retaining the same bottom tab bar used on iPhone.
Now, the site reports that WhatsApp is rolling out another major interface change to some iPad users, with a new Mac-like sidebar replacing the bottom tab bar by default.
The sidebar, which mirrors the layout already available on WhatsApp for Mac, provides quick access to Chats, Updates, Communities, Calls, Meta AI, and other sections of the app. Users can also hide it to give more space to the chat list and conversation view.
The sidebar takes up a portion of the screen. On iPad, this is rarely a problem since the display is large enough to show the sidebar, the chat list, and the conversation interface. However, some users may prefer a larger conversation interface. When users hide the sidebar, WhatsApp expands the chat list and the conversation toward the center of the screen, making both feel less compressed. Users who prefer to keep focus on the conversation will notice the difference immediately.
WABetaInfo notes that the new sidebar is available to some beta testers running the latest TestFlight build, although some users on the regular App Store version are also beginning to see it.
As is often the case with WhatsApp rollouts, it may take some time before the new interface reaches everyone, whether they’re using the beta or stable version of the app. Still, iPad users should benefit from the more tablet-friendly layout once it becomes available to them.
For WABetaInfo‘s full report, follow this link.
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