Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new Contacts tab on both Android and iOS, which will replace the Communities tab. This new tab will bring favourite contacts and the full contact list into one place. Furthermore, users will also be able to check who is online within the tab, without opening individual conversations.
Read more about the update below.
WhatsApp Contacts Tab – Being Tested on Android and iOS
This new update comes from the publication WABetaInfo, which has shared details concerning the Contacts tab on both platforms. As per its reports, the feature has been spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.45.2 and WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.44.10.70, and is currently available to some beta testers.
Speaking more, the new tab will be showing favourite contacts at the top, followed by the full contact list, and users will be able to sort the same by activity, alphabetical order, or upcoming birthdays. Regarding the activity option, contacts who are currently online will appear at the top with a green dot, whereas recently active contacts will be arranged based on their last seen information. Users will also be able to add new contacts and invite friends directly from this tab.
Just to add, it should be noted that the existing privacy settings will continue to apply, and the new Contacts tab will not reveal online or last seen information that a contact has chosen to hide.
We also updated our iOS app to version 26.44.72, which had a download size of 382.1MB, but were unable to see this new change on our device. However, the iOS version mentioned in the publication’s report is a TestFlight beta build, and the feature is currently being tested with a limited number of users.
Regarding availability, the publication currently lists 2.26.45.6 as the Android beta build, but the Contacts tab may not appear for everyone even after updating. Testing is expanding gradually on both platforms, and a wider release date has not yet been announced.
