New typing indicator by WhatsApp for Android users

 WhatsApp revamped Typing Indicator rolling out to more Android users

Reportedly, the new typing indicator appears as a chat bubble in the conversation screen allowing users to see who is typing without distracting from the ongoing conversation. WhatsApp is testing a redesigned typing indicator for both individual and group chats, as discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.21.18 update. WhatsApp is updating how you see when another user is typing with a new typing indicator that’s available to more users. This new feature aims to provide a more seamless experience by showing real-time typing updates directly within the chat interface.

Typically in WhatsApp a typing indicator is shown at the very top of the display alongside the participant’s or group chat’s name. However, this is being changed to something a bit more familiar. It was previously reported, but now it appears to be rolling out more widely. Over the past couple of days, more WhatsApp users have found this new typing indicator to be live on their devices. The updated typing indicator now appears as a chat bubble within the conversation screen, allowing users to see who is typing without being distracted by looking elsewhere. Currently, the typing indicator was located at the top of the screen, beneath the group name or chat title. The new version embeds this information into the chat interface itself, making it easier to follow conversations while maintaining focus on the ongoing chat.

Reports have been flooding in via Twitter/X from users who have noticed the new typing indicators on Android. From what we can tell, this is mainly in the beta version of the app rather than the stable release, but those who are seeing it having been seeing it for the first time as of late, indicating a wider rollout. There are some limited reports from the iOS version, but they’re not nearly as broad. Additionally, this change applies to the voice recording indicator, which will now also appear within the chat window. The group member icon, along with a three-dot typing animation, will provide real-time feedback about who is typing or recording a message, removing the need to glance at the top app bar. In group chats, when multiple people are typing, their profile icons will be displayed, clearly showing who is active, whereas previously only the name of the person typing would appear.

It’s unclear when WhatsApp plans to roll out this new design to all users, but it’s certainly a welcome change as the new design more closely aligns with other popular messaging apps. This updated typing indicator is designed to make group conversations more intuitive, particularly when multiple participants are typing or recording messages at the same time. The revamped typing indicator feature is currently accessible to select beta testers who have downloaded the latest WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store. The feature is expected to roll out to a wider audience in the near future.