WhatsApp is testing a redesign that could give Meta AI a permanent home in the app's bottom navigation bar — and make the AI assistant much harder to ignore.
The change was spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android, version 2.26.38.10, on September 27, 2026. The test build shows a reworked bottom navigation bar with a more rounded, floating look — and, most notably, a dedicated slot for Meta AI right alongside core tabs like Chats and Calls.
A new look for the nav bar
Beyond the Meta AI placement, the navigation bar itself is getting a visual refresh. Edges are softer, the bar takes on an oval shape, and the background is more transparent. The result brings WhatsApp for Android a little closer to the iOS design language — without copying it outright.
Meta AI moves out of the corner
Right now, Meta AI lives behind a floating shortcut button that hovers above the compose button. The new design pulls it out of that corner and into the main navigation structure. Interestingly, the test build shows Meta AI in more than one place, which suggests the final layout is not locked in yet and WhatsApp is still experimenting with where it fits best.
Early days — don't expect it yet
This is an early-stage test, not something available to all users. WhatsApp routinely trials interface changes with a small group of beta testers for weeks before any wider release — and some tested features get changed, delayed, or dropped entirely before the stable version. There is no confirmed public rollout date, so treat this as a preview of what might come rather than a promise.
Why it matters
A permanent navigation entry would make Meta AI a core part of WhatsApp's structure, sitting alongside Chats, Updates, and Calls. That means more visibility and easier access — and a louder signal that Meta sees AI as central to the future of messaging.
The flip side: not everyone wants more AI in their chat app. For users who prefer a simpler, no-frills messaging interface, a dedicated Meta AI tab could feel like clutter they cannot switch off. How WhatsApp balances that tension — and whether the final design survives beta — is worth watching.
Our take
Moving Meta AI into the bottom nav bar is a small design tweak with a big message: AI is no longer a side feature in WhatsApp, it's becoming part of the furniture. If the test holds, expect the assistant to be front and center for everyone — whether they asked for it or not.
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