Upcoming WhatsApp update will make contacting business easier on Android: Here’s how it works

WhatsApp updates usually bring useful features to the app such as the upcoming flash call feature, disappearing messages, a new Archive mode, and so on. Sometimes, updates bring improvements to the interface, such as the removal of recently added blue text that made notifications difficult to read. WhatsApp is now testing a new interface on WhatsApp for Android, to make it easier to contact business accounts.

Also read: Get dual WhatsApp functionality on one Android smartphone: 3 top tips and tricks to know

WhatsApp Business accounts are not the same as regular user accounts, and a report from a popular feature leaker has revealed that the Facebook-owned company is looking to make their business profile pages on WhatsApp even more distinguishable on the platform, by redesigning the interface and adding a couple of useful new features that should make communicating with businesses on the platform a lot easier.

Here’s what WhatsApp is testing in the latest beta version on Android devices:

Redesigned WhatsApp Business profile section

According to a report by noted feature leaker WABetaInfo, the encrypted messenger service is testing a new interface that is showing up for users on the latest beta version of WhatsApp. For starters, the profile picture on a Business page is now circular, which instantly sets it apart from regular accounts that are still square. Under the new profile picture, the name of the business is centred, along with any About information that may have been set by the business.

New WhatsApp Business profile shortcuts

Under the redesigned profile area, are three large circular shortcuts, as seen in the screenshot shared by the leaker. These are Message, Call and Forward – while the first two are quite self-explanatory and deal with direct interactions with the Business account, the third feature could allow WhatsApp users to forward details of a Business to another user.

However, according to the report, a Catalog shortcut should also be visible if the Business account has set up one. Similarly, another shortcut should provide WhatsApp users access to Facebook Shops, if the account supports this feature.

How to access the new Business profile interface

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently being tested on the latest version of WhatsApp beta Android. This means that as long as users have version 2.21.13.10 of WhatsApp for Android, they should be able to see the new interface. 

However, the report states that users on a couple of older beta versions might also be able to access the feature. If you want to enrol your Google account to access the latest beta versions of WhatsApp for Android, you can follow our handy guide to signing up here, then update your app from the Play Store to access the new feature.