The application WhatsApp on the platform Android is one of the most popular communication tools in the world, and its appearance is familiar to millions of users. However, the messenger interface is constantly updated, adding new features, changing the layout of buttons and improving the visual style. Understanding exactly how the application looks and functions helps you quickly navigate the menu and effectively use all available features.
The appearance of the app depends on the version of the operating system of your smartphone and the availability of themes supported by the system Material Design. Modern versions of the messenger adapt to the color scheme of the device, creating a harmonious visual experience. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the structure of the screens, basic controls and navigation features so that you can confidently use messenger in any situation.
Start screen and main list of chats
After launching the application, the user is taken to the main screen, which by default displays a list of all active conversations. At the top of the screen there is a status bar with the system clock and network indicators, under which there is the application title and shortcut buttons. The main work area is the chat feed, where each element represents a separate conversation with a contact or group.
Each line in the chat list contains the interlocutor's avatar, contact name or group name, and the last message received. To the right of the text is the time the last message was sent or the delivery status, indicated by check marks. If there are unread messages in the chat, the line is highlighted in bold, and a green circle appears on the right with a number indicating the number of new notifications.
At the top of the screen, immediately below the system bar, there are three main tabs or quick jump icons, depending on the interface version. Typically these are the “Chats”, “Status” (or “Stories”) and “Communities” sections. Switching between them is carried out by simply tapping on the corresponding icon, which allows you to instantly change the context of using the application without returning to the main settings menu.
- 📱 Chat tab — the main screen with a list of all correspondence.
- 🟢 Indicator status —the green circle indicates the presence of unread messages.
- 📷 Camera icon — quick access to creating a new status or story.
- 💬 New chat button —located in the lower right corner to start a dialogue.
⚠️ Attention: In the latest updates of the “Status” tab, “Calls” and “Communities” may be moved to the bottom navigation bar or hidden in an additional menu depending on the display settings.
Navigation and top toolbar
The top part of the WhatsApp interface on Android is traditionally reserved for global actions and search. There is a search bar here that allows you to instantly find the desired contact or message using keywords. Activating the search narrows the list of chats, displaying only relevant results, which significantly saves time when working with a large number of conversations.
Near the search field there are often additional icons, such as a camera for creating a status or a three-dot menu for accessing general application settings. In some versions of the interface, the camera button has been moved to the “Updates” tab, and only the settings menu and search remain on the main screen. This centralization of control makes the interface cleaner and less overloaded with unnecessary elements.
To access the chat archive, you need to scroll the list of conversations down to the very end or use a special folder pinned at the top of the list. Archived chats are not deleted, but simply hidden from the main list so as not to clutter up the space. This is an important function organizationsthat allows you to maintain order in the messenger without losing the history of correspondence.
Use the chat pinning function so that important dialogues always remain at the top of the list, regardless of the activity of other correspondence.
Individual interface chat
When opening a specific dialogue, the user goes to the correspondence window, which has its own unique structure and set of tools. The top part of the screen (header) contains the interlocutor’s avatar, his name and status (“online”, “was recently” or status about typing). Clicking on the contact name opens detailed profile information, where you can see the phone number, notification settings and media files.
The central area of the screen is occupied by the history of messages, which are grouped by date. The user's messages appear on the right on a light or colored background, and the person's messages appear on the left on a white or gray background. Each message bubble can contain text, emoji, file attachments or forwarded messages, as well as read indicators in the form of one or two check marks.
At the bottom of the screen is a text input field surrounded by buttons for adding attachments, recording voice messages and sending emoji. Long pressing on any message brings up a context menu with options to reply, forward, delete or copy the text. This menu is the key element for managing content within the dialog.
| Interface element | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Contact avatar | Upper left corner | Opening profile and information |
| Input field | Bottom screen | Writing text messages |
| Microphone | To the right of the input field | Recording voice messages |
| Paper clip | To the left of the field input | Attaching files and media |
Updates and statuses tab
The Updates tab (formerly known as Status) is a section that displays temporary contact histories that disappear after 24 hours. The interface of this tab is divided into two main sections: “My Updates” for publishing your own content and “Latest Updates” for viewing friends’ stories. The design of this section is as simplified as possible and resembles the interface of popular social networks.
To create a new status, just click on the camera icon or the plus sign in the “My updates” section. The camera or gallery interface will open, where you can select a photo, video, or create a text status on a colored background. After publication, your status becomes visible to contacts who have your phone number and are saved in their address book.
Viewing other people's statuses is done by simply tapping on the contact's avatar in the list. Viewing switches automatically or by swiping, and double tapping on the screen puts a like or pause. At the bottom of the viewing screen there are buttons to reply, delete or forward the status, which makes interaction with the content intuitive and fast.
What are disappeared messages in statuses?
Messages in the status section are automatically deleted from servers and devices 24 hours after publication. However, if you replied to the status, the correspondence with this response is saved in a regular chat with the contact.
Settings menu and user profile
Access to the global application settings is carried out through the menu, which is called up by clicking on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the main screen or through the “Settings” tab in the bottom panel. Here the user can change their avatar, profile name, status and configure privacy settings. This is the control center for the entire application, where security and appearance issues are resolved.
The settings section is divided into logical blocks: “Account”, “Privacy”, “Chats”, “Notifications” and “Data and storage”. Each block contains many sub-items that allow you to fine-tune the behavior of the application to the needs of a specific user. For example, in the “Chats” section you can configure the theme, font size and backup frequency.
Particular attention should be paid to the “Privacy” section, where the visibility of information about the last visit, profile photo and status is regulated. Here you can block unwanted contacts or enable read confirmation for messages. Proper configuration of these parameters ensures comfortable and safe use of messenger.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may differ on different smartphone models due to the manufacturer's own Android shell (for example, MIUI or OneUI).
☑️ Settings privacy
Themes and customization
Modern versions of WhatsApp on Android support changing the theme, allowing users to choose between a light and dark theme. Switching is done in the menu Settings → Chats → Theme, where you can select the option “Light”, “Dark” or “System”. The system theme is automatically adjusted to the settings of the smartphone itself, which is convenient for saving battery power. batteries at night.
In addition to the global theme, users can customize the wallpaper for each chat individually or set a common background image for all conversations. This is done through the chat settings menu or directly from the correspondence window. Personalization enhances the experience and visually separates work chats from personal ones.
In some regions and betas, additional colors are available for message bubbles and interface elements. These features are being rolled out gradually, so availability may vary by app version and account region. Stay tuned for updates in the official store Google Playto gain access to new visual features.
Using a dark theme not only reduces eye strain at night, but can also save battery power on smartphones with AMOLED screens.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the WhatsApp interface look different on my phone and on my friend's?
Differences may be caused by different versions of the application, different versions of the Android operating system, or the phone manufacturer using its own graphical shell. WhatsApp also often rolls out new features gradually, so the interface can be updated for users at different times.
How to return the old look of tabs if they have moved down?
In some updates, WhatsApp is experimenting with the location of the navigation bar. Moving tabs down is the new default behavior to improve ergonomics on larger screens. It is usually impossible to return them to the top through the user settings, since this is controlled by the application developer.
Is it possible to change the color of message bubbles to your own?
At the moment, the standard functionality allows you to choose only between a light and dark theme, which have fixed bubble colors. Full customization of the color of individual interface elements is not available without using third-party modified versions of the application, which is not recommended for security reasons.
Where is the archive button in the new interface?
In the updated interface, the “Archive” folder is often pinned at the very top of the chat list, above the first dialogue. If you don't see it, try scrolling down to the bottom of the list of chats - in some versions it may still be there.
How to make the font in messages larger?
The font size in WhatsApp depends on the system settings of your smartphone. To change it, go to Phone settings → Screen → Text size and adjust the slider. The application will automatically apply the new text display settings.