WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a new Contacts tab for Android users. This will replace the Communities tab at the bottom of the app. This will include several shortcuts.
WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a new feature for its Android users. This will include a dedicated Contacts tab within the app. This tab will allow users to easily view their saved contacts and start conversations directly. Importantly, it will also include the option to organize and search contacts in different ways.
What is the Contacts tab?
According to a report by WABetaInfo, a new Contacts tab has been spotted in WhatsApp's Android beta version 2.26.45.2. The company is currently testing this feature for some beta users. To achieve this, the Contacts tab is replacing the Communities tab in the navigation bar at the bottom of the app.
With this new tab, users will no longer need to repeatedly visit the Chats section to view their contacts. They will be able to directly open the Contacts tab and start a chat with any saved number.
You will get the option to sort contacts
The new Contacts tab will likely feature Favorites at the top, followed by a list of other saved contacts. Users will be able to organize this list in various ways to suit their needs. According to the report, there may be options to sort contacts by name, alphabetical order, birthday, and activity. Selecting the Activity filter will show online contacts at the top, with a green dot next to their name. Other contacts may be displayed based on their last seen information, though this will depend on the user's privacy settings.
Meta AI and Instagram-related options will also be available
The new tab could also include a shortcut to Meta AI. Additionally, users could have the option to share a WhatsApp invite link and invite their Instagram followers to chat on WhatsApp. This tab will also have a button at the bottom that allows users to add new contacts using their name, username, or mobile number. There will also be an option to save contacts added with a mobile number to the phone's address book.
Which users will get the feature now?
According to WABetaInfo, this feature is currently being rolled out to a small number of users using WhatsApp Android beta version 2.26.45.2 under the Google Play Beta program. The company may expand it to other beta users in the coming weeks. However, it's not yet clear when all Android WhatsApp users will receive the stable version.
