The latest update for WhatsApp on Android brings a visual change that users may not notice immediately, but it signals a larger shift towards a unified design language across Meta’s apps. If you’ve updated to WhatsApp version 2.25.1.75, available via the Google Play Store in India, or 2.25.1.76 in some other regions like Canada, you might spot new icons in the attachment sheet. This feature pops up whenever you tap the paperclip icon in a chat. While the attachment options — Document, Location, Gallery, and Contact — remain the same, the icons have ditched their old round design for squircles or, say, squared-off icons with rounded edges.
The revamped WhatsApp icons feature colourful art inside and look more polished compared to the earlier design that used solid colours with white line art. It’s not just a cosmetic tweak. This update aligns WhatsApp more closely with Meta’s other platforms like Instagram and Messenger, which already feature similar design elements.
Interestingly, these design changes were first spotted way back in early 2023 during WhatsApp’s development phase. Beta testers got a glimpse of the updated icons in iOS apps before Android users did. However, it took nearly two years of testing, feedback, and tweaking before the new icons started showing up in stable builds for Android. If your app hasn’t been updated yet, you might want to check the Play Store or manually sideload the APK and install it.
While this update might seem small in the grand scheme of things, it reflects WhatsApp’s larger push toward better integration and consistency across its apps. This attachment sheet redesign, along with previous changes like the tabbed bottom sheet for the Gallery menu, shows how Meta is polishing WhatsApp to keep it relevant in today’s fast-paced tech world.
The rollout appears to be global, with multiple reports of the update reaching Android users in various countries. Whether you’re in India or Canada, chances are the change is already available. And if not, it’s just a matter of time.
For those eager to test this out, joining WhatsApp’s beta program on the Play Store could give you early access to new features. Alternatively, APK sites like APKMirror and APKPure also host beta builds, though caution is advised when sideloading apps.
The article originally appeared on India Today.
