WhatsApp is testing a redesigned Contacts tab for iPhone users, giving people a dedicated place to browse saved contacts, find favourites and check availability where privacy settings allow it. The feature has appeared in the WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.44.10.70 through Apple’s TestFlight programme and is currently reaching only some beta testers.
A Dedicated Place for WhatsApp Contacts
The new Contacts tab is designed to make it easier to find people without searching through existing conversations. Reports indicate that the screen places favourite contacts near the top, followed by the user’s broader contact list. It also includes an option to add a new contact from the same screen.
Sort Contacts by Activity, Name or Birthday
The redesigned section is reported to offer several ways to organise contacts. Activity sorting can place currently online contacts first, while alphabetical sorting arranges people by name. A birthday view can help users see upcoming birthdays for contacts whose details include that information.
These options are intended to make a large contact list easier to navigate. The final layout and available sorting choices may change as WhatsApp continues testing the feature.
Online Status Still Depends on Privacy Settings
The Contacts tab does not remove WhatsApp’s existing privacy controls. Online and last-seen information is visible only when the relevant privacy settings allow it. If someone has restricted this information, the new screen should not reveal their activity.
Users should review their own Last Seen and Online privacy options if they want to control who can view their availability. The new tab is a navigation change, not a reason to weaken personal privacy settings.
Why the Communities Tab May Be Replaced
Reports say WhatsApp is using the space currently occupied by the Communities tab for the new Contacts section. Communities are still expected to remain accessible through filters in the Chats area, so the change is mainly about the app’s bottom navigation and how users reach different sections.
When Will the New Contacts Tab Arrive for Everyone?
For now, the feature is limited to selected iOS beta testers. WhatsApp has not announced a confirmed date for a general iPhone release. A gradual beta rollout means that even people using the same beta version may not see the new tab immediately.
What iPhone Users Should Know
The new Contacts tab could make WhatsApp easier to navigate by bringing favourites, contact management and activity-based sorting into one place. However, it remains a feature under testing, and its design or availability could change before a wider release. iPhone users should wait for the stable update rather than expect the feature to appear on every device right away.
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