WhatsApp prepares redesign for iPhone with major changes to status feature

WhatsApp Redesign for iPhone: Status Updates Get a Major Upgrade

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a major redesign for its iPhone application that will significantly alter how users interact with the Status feature. According to WABetaInfo, a trusted source for WhatsApp updates, Status updates—previously housed in a separate tab—will now appear directly within the Chats tab. This change will allow users to quickly see which of their closest contacts have shared a recent update, without needing to navigate away from their conversations.

Smarter Integration and Enhanced Functionality

The new layout will prioritize contacts the user interacts with most frequently and who have posted a Status within the last 24 hours. This integration not only simplifies access to friends’ and family’s updates but also enhances the overall app experience. Additionally, users will be able to create and share a new Status directly from the Chats tab, eliminating redundant steps and bringing frequently used features closer to the home screen. This shift reflects a growing trend among messaging apps toward more fluid, user-centric interfaces.

Previous Updates: The ‘You’ Tab and Liquid Glass Design

This upcoming redesign builds on changes WhatsApp already implemented in its iPhone app at the end of 2025. That update introduced a completely redesigned bottom navigation bar, featuring a new tab labeled ‘You’. Tapping on it opens a personalized screen displaying the user’s profile photo, avatar, broadcast lists, pinned messages, and linked devices. This section also centralizes key settings such as account, privacy, chats, notifications, storage and data management, as well as access to the Help Center, friend referrals, and the Account Center.

The redesign adopts the Liquid Glass visual style, characteristic of iOS 26, which uses transparency and blur effects to create a sense of depth and modernity. Inspired by liquid glass surfaces, this aesthetic enhances the app’s overall look and aligns with Apple’s design guidelines. Despite these changes to the bottom bar, the rest of the interface—including conversations, the calls menu, and general settings—retains its traditional structure, ensuring a smooth transition for regular users.

WhatsApp Beta Program: How to Test New Features First

The new features, including the Status redesign, are currently in development and are expected to roll out first to WhatsApp’s beta program. This program allows selected users to test pre-release versions of the app before they are made available to the general public. Participants receive early updates with features still in testing, giving them a chance to experience new tools ahead of time. In return, they are encouraged to report bugs, performance issues, or provide feedback to help refine the final product.

Participating in the beta may involve some instability, as certain features might not work properly or could contain bugs. However, for many tech-savvy users, early access outweighs these drawbacks. The beta program is available for both Android and iOS devices, though enrollment is not always immediate due to limited slots.

How to Join WhatsApp Beta on iPhone

To join the beta program on iPhone, users must access TestFlight, Apple’s app testing platform. The first step is to visit WhatsApp’s official TestFlight page using the Safari browser on the iOS device. From there, users should tap ‘Join’ and follow the instructions to install the beta version of the app. It’s important to note that Apple may temporarily close sign-ups if the participant limit is reached. In such cases, interested users must wait until registrations reopen. Once enrolled, users will receive automatic updates with the latest WhatsApp test versions, becoming active contributors to the app’s development process.