Finally: WhatsApp is getting rid of one of the app's most useless features

WhatsApp has started rolling out a new Contacts tab in the navigation bar on Android beta, replacing the Communities tab. The tab shows connected contacts with a green dot, favorites, and sorting by birthdays. The move follows the addition of a Communities filter at the top of the chat list.

WhatsApp is rolling out a dedicated Contacts tab in the Android navigation bar, replacing the Communities tab. The new interface allows users to see who is currently online via a green dot, manage favorites, and sort conversations by birthdays. This move completes the transition of Communities to a filter in the main chat list, after Meta added a dedicated Communities filter at the top of the chat list. The feature was spotted in beta version 2.26.45.2 and is being gradually distributed to beta testers, before reaching all users in the coming weeks. The article notes that this is a welcome upgrade for many Israeli users who did not use the Communities tab.