WhatsApp is working on a big new feature for Android users that may make replying to messages faster and less interrupting. The app is testing Android’s built-in “notification bubbles,” which will show chats as small floating icons on top of whatever you are doing on your phone.
This is similar to chat-heads in Facebook Messenger. The feature is still being developed and is not yet available in the normal version of WhatsApp, but it may first come to beta users before a full release.
When this feature is ready, new messages from contacts or groups will appear not only in the notification bar but also as a small circular bubble on the screen. When you tap the bubble, a small chat window will open over your current app, letting you reply quickly without leaving what you are doing.
You will also be able to move the bubbles, minimize them, or remove them. WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has said that this feature uses Android’s official notification-bubbles system, not a custom one, so it should work smoothly with the phone and other apps.
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One major benefit of this update is better multitasking. Right now, many Android users have to fully open WhatsApp or switch through notifications to reply, which can interrupt work, videos, or games. With chat bubbles, you can reply in a small popup window that stays on top of other apps. This helps you continue your activity while still chatting. The idea is similar to Messenger’s chat-heads, but this version follows Android’s official system instead of using special permissions that can feel intrusive.
From a technical point of view, Android has supported bubble notifications since Android 10, but they work better on Android 11 and newer versions. Older Android versions may need extra permissions for floating bubbles, which can be less smooth. Because of this, WhatsApp may only offer this feature on newer Android phones, especially those running Android 11 or later. Some older devices may not get the feature, or they may receive it later.
Another important point is that iOS does not support notification bubbles in the same way. So, iPhone and iPad users will not get this floating chat feature. On Apple devices, WhatsApp will likely continue using normal notifications and other multitasking features already available. For Android users, the bubbles feature will likely be optional, so people can turn it on or off for all chats or specific ones. This is useful because some users may find floating bubbles distracting.
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Reports say WhatsApp will release this feature slowly, starting with a small group of Android beta testers. After testing and feedback, it may be released to all users in the coming weeks or months. This update is also part of WhatsApp’s effort to better match Android’s design and system features. Early previews show bubbles as small round icons with the sender’s profile picture and a small WhatsApp mark, making them easy to identify.
Privacy and control are also important in this feature. Users may be able to choose which chats show as bubbles, such as marking some contacts or groups as priority or pinned. There may also be options to close or snooze bubbles if they are not important, helping reduce distractions. WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption will not change, as the bubbles only affect how messages appear, not how they are sent or stored.