WhatsApp Prepares Interface Changes, Including a Message Preview Without Read Receipts

In depth

WhatsApp is developing interface changes for its app on Android and iOS. Tapping a contact's or group's name will no longer open the full profile page, but will instead open an interactive slide-up menu.

Among the updates being tested is a new preview for reading messages. According to development, it will be possible to scroll through the text and read messages without sending a read receipt and without changing the general setting. Apple devices already have a limited viewing option of this kind, and the Android version is expected to also include the ability to scroll through earlier messages.

Other changes are also being prepared: a Meta AI-based tool that extends photos to a 9:16 ratio without distortion, and a new contacts tab in the Android navigation bar that replaces the communities tab and shows which friends are online at the moment. The new events tool also allows inviting people who do not have an account on the app.