WhatsApp Tests Redesigned Media Gallery
WhatsApp is preparing a significant update that redesigns its in-chat media gallery. The new interface, currently in testing, adds file-type filters and improved sorting options. The change aims to streamline content discovery, acknowledging that users increasingly treat messaging apps as central repositories for media.
- The redesigned media gallery is currently available to some beta testers on iOS through the TestFlight program, specifically in version 26.6.10.70. This feature was previously tested with some Android beta users in 2025. - In addition to filtering by photos, videos, and GIFs, the new interface will also allow users to filter for stickers, making them easier to find and mark as favorites. The existing filters for documents and links will remain. - A key usability update is the addition of the chat's name in the header of the media gallery, which helps users immediately identify which conversation's media they are browsing. - This update is part of a broader effort to enhance user experience, which has recently included beta tests for features like saving photo and video drafts and a new "Liquid Glass" interface for the Business app on iOS. - While the current focus is on the in-chat media gallery, WhatsApp has also been experimenting with a redesigned media picker for Android that would add "Recents" and "Gallery" tabs to simplify sharing older media. - The development of improved media handling follows a history of media-centric updates, including the introduction of voice messages in 2013, video calls in 2016, and video messages in July 2023. - This redesign aligns with a larger trend of WhatsApp evolving from a simple chat app into a more comprehensive social platform, as seen with recent beta tests that make "Status" updates more prominent within the main chat list. - The user interface for media editing has also seen recent redesigns, with changes to the media footer to more clearly align the text bar, send button, and media selection button.
