WhatsApp gives iPad app long-awaited sidebar
WhatsApp has updated its iPad application to include a sidebar for better navigation and is testing a feature that allows non-account holders to join calls via links. Additionally, the app has ended support for older Android versions.
Why it matters
These updates reflect ongoing efforts by Meta to improve cross-platform usability and security standards for its messaging service.
Home News World Sports Entertainment Science Royal Trending Health Videos Technology Technology WhatsApp gives iPad app long-awaited sidebar Mac-style sidebar for iPad leads this week's WhatsApp beta roundup, alongside guest calls and Liquid Glass
WhatsApp just gave iPad users something they've been asking for since the Mac app got its makeover: an actual sidebar, instead of a tab bar squeezed along the bottom of a screen built for more space.
This newly designed tab is on the left and covers tabs such as Chats, Updates, Communities, Calls, and Meta AI, while there is a "More" tab for the Locked, Archived, Starred, and Favourites tabs. This new design is completely made of Liquid Glass from iOS 26 onwards, and the tab can be easily hidden in just one tap, while the tab bar will come back on top again.
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