Rounded groups could give WhatsApp’s settings a more organised appearance, but the interface is not available to users yet.
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a redesigned settings interface for Android that groups related options into rounded sections. The proposed layout changes how settings are presented, with clearer visual boundaries between groups.
According to WABetaInfo’s October 27 report, the work was discovered in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.43.3. However, the interface remains under development and is not available for beta testers to try.
What Could Change?
The reported design replaces the flatter list presentation with connected, card-like groups. Items at the beginning and end of each group have more rounded outer corners, while the rows between them sit closer together.
WABetaInfo describes the approach as using the Material Design 3 Expressive segmented list pattern. The treatment is expected to extend beyond the main settings screen to pages including Account, Privacy and Notifications.
A Visual Update, With Practical Questions Remaining
Grouping related controls could help users distinguish one section from another when scanning a settings page. Consistent styling across submenus could also make navigation feel more predictable.
Those are potential benefits, rather than tested results. The report does not establish whether settings will move, whether labels will change or how the layout will perform with larger text and accessibility settings.
It also does not announce new privacy protections or account-management features. A different appearance should not be interpreted as a change to what an existing setting does.
Can You Enable the New Settings Menu?
There is currently no reported user-facing switch or confirmed method for enabling this interface.
Installing the beta version mentioned in the report does not guarantee access. Beta builds can contain unfinished work that remains hidden while developers refine it.
Users should wait for confirmed availability rather than treat screenshots of an unreleased interface as evidence of a rollout.
Other Android Interface Changes Are Also in Development
WABetaInfo has separately described work on a navigation bar that contracts while scrolling and expands again when scrolling back, alongside a refreshed chat bar.
These projects suggest broader interface development, but they should not be assumed to arrive together. Each feature may have its own testing schedule and could change before release.
When Will WhatsApp Release It?
The report provides no confirmed launch date for the redesigned settings menu.
For now, the important distinction is between discovery and availability: the design has been identified during development, but users cannot yet rely on receiving it in a particular update.
