WhatsApp Releases Controversial New Design For iPhone And Android

The new look for WhatsApp is here, and the social network owned by Meta describes it as “fresh approachable and simple.” Those aren’t the words every user has been drawn to. Here’s what has just arrived.

The company says that the design philosophy is related to “product principles” of keeping WhatsApp simple, reliable and private. It says, “We filter these through a design lens to build intuitive and clear flows that work universally and help people connect, while protecting their privacy. We pay close attention to how people use their devices and design our user interface to complement their existing experience, so WhatsApp feels familiar and easy to navigate.”

So, what does this mean in practice?

WhatsApp says it has refreshed the look of the app, making it accessible while being careful with changes which affect “people’s muscle memory.” That’s good, because there’s nothing more annoying than a redesign which completely throws you when you’re using an app or a gadget.

WhatsApp says it has introduced a new consistent green palette within the app for a unified experience. “We considered over 35 different color iterations, ultimately aligning with WhatsApp’s iconic green and opting for a palette that allows for harmonious color pairings throughout the app. We also increased the usage of neutral colors, enabling us to be more selective about where and how the green is used.”

That all sounds innocent enough, but when the new version arrived on some users’ phones, reactions were severe, with some complaining that the new colors were not to their taste. The slight changes to colors have proved surprisingly controversial for many.

The problem is that this is not an optional upgrade: all users will get it sooner or later, and there’s no way to opt out.

There are differences between iPhone and Android versions of the app. For instance, the Chats tab on iPhone is called Chats (well, that’s hardly a surprise) but labeled with the WhatsApp logo on Android.

“We also heard that people wanted a darker dark mode,” Meta said. “We focused on higher contrast and deeper tones to reduce eye strain in low-light environments. We’re making it one shade darker for improved visual appeal and legibility.” How dark is one shade, one wonders?

The new design also introduces a new attachment layout, designed to make it easier to send photos and videos on iOS, replacing a full-screen menu with a tray that can be expanded for accessing features.

There are lots more specifics of how the look of WhatsApp is changing. Check out Meta’s details in the link above for more details.