The Updated Context Menu of WhatsApp Arrives on Android: A More Modern Interface Similar to iOS

WhatsApp has started releasing a completely redesigned message menu for the Android version of its app, currently available to a limited number of beta users. The update pertains to the management of actions on individual messages and introduces a more modern and streamlined interface compared to the past.

The new feature is included in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.23.8 and is being gradually distributed through the Google Play Store. After a development phase lasting about three years, the new menu is finally becoming available to some testers, both in individual chats and groups.

Previously, users had to access message options through a separate dropdown menu or via actions located in the top bar of the app. With the new update, all functions are consolidated into a single context menu that appears directly next to the selected message. The most commonly used actions are displayed right away, while less frequent ones are grouped in an additional dedicated section.

New Features of the WhatsApp Update

To access the new system, the user simply needs to press and hold on a message, a gesture already familiar to Android users. The menu opens immediately near the selected content, reducing the need to shift focus to other areas of the screen.

According to reports, the redesign aims to enhance the user experience by making actions more accessible and reducing the steps needed to interact with messages. Moreover, WhatsApp is trying to create a more consistent experience between Android and iOS, bringing the menu behavior closer to that already present on Apple devices. On iOS, the context menu had long been integrated and appeared directly next to the message.

Thus, the update on Android represents an alignment between the two platforms, particularly useful for users who utilize both operating systems. The project was anticipated in 2023, but only now is it reaching users. The long development period reflects WhatsApp's intention to refine the interface before a broader release. Currently, the feature is not yet available to everyone, and there is no official date for the stable rollout, but distribution should expand in the coming weeks.