WhatsApp is adopting notification bubbles similar to those introduced by Facebook Messenger. The company is testing this feature for Android users. Notification bubbles will allow users to read and reply to messages without fully opening the WhatsApp app.
The feature aims to enhance multitasking while using WhatsApp. Users can quickly message in multiple chats without leaving other apps. Whenever new messages arrive from an individual or group chat, a floating bubble will appear on the screen. This bubble displays the contact or group’s profile picture along with a WhatsApp icon.
Clicking the bubble opens a compact version of the WhatsApp chat interface. This implementation differs from Facebook Messenger’s “Chat heads”. WhatsApp has designed it to streamline the messaging experience for users.
Notification bubbles have been supported by Google since Android 10. However, this feature is currently not live for end users and is still in testing. WhatsApp is expected to roll out the feature to beta users before a public release.
No confirmed release date exists for the notification bubbles feature. Observers note that it remains uncertain when all Android users will gain access to this functionality.