WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned message menu on Android that places key actions directly beside the selected chat bubble. The change is meant to reduce the number of steps needed to forward, edit, or manage a message.
For Android users, this is a notable shift from the old layout, where several message controls were grouped in the top area of the app. The new setup brings the most-used actions closer to the conversation itself and makes the interface feel more compact.
A more contextual layout
According to WABetaInfo, the redesign has been in development since 2023 and is now starting to reach Android beta users. The feature is currently available to a limited number of people on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.23.8.
The rollout remains restricted for now, but WhatsApp is expected to expand access to more beta testers in the coming weeks. If the testing phase continues smoothly, wider distribution could follow later.
The new menu changes how message actions are presented without changing how users access them. A long press on a message still opens the menu, but the controls now appear next to the selected bubble instead of being separated across the top of the screen.
Familiar gestures, fewer distractions
WhatsApp has kept the interaction pattern familiar, which means users do not need to learn a new gesture or workflow. The company is replacing the old menu automatically once the feature becomes available on a device.
Common actions such as forwarding and editing are placed first, while less frequently used options are grouped under More. That approach keeps the menu cleaner while making everyday tools easier to reach.
The update applies to both private chats and group conversations. It is designed to make message handling feel more natural by keeping the controls closer to the content being managed.
Closer to the iPhone experience
One of the clearest effects of the redesign is stronger consistency between WhatsApp on Android and iPhone. While the app still follows the design logic of each platform, the new Android menu mirrors the more compact interaction style long familiar to iPhone users.
That alignment may be especially useful for people who move between Android and iOS devices. A more uniform layout can make it easier to adapt across platforms without adjusting to two very different ways of handling the same message actions.
WhatsApp has not announced a date for a full public release. For now, the updated message menu remains part of a limited beta test, and non-beta Android users will need to wait until the rollout is expanded.
