WhatsApp is known for making small changes with every beta release on Android platform. But today's WhatsApp Beta 2.18.74 update for Android users seems to be a pretty big one as it brings adaptive launcher icon support. This essentially means that you can now select between five different shapes- circle (default), square, rounded square, squircle, and teardrop. Don't get excited assuming that WhatsApp finally changed its icon design. No, it's the same good old green coloured icon. But Android beta users can change the icon shape as you can see in the image.
So if you're using an Android launcher which has support for adaptive icon icons, then you change the choose between the five new icons as mentioned above. If you're using a Pixel/Nexus device, you can change the app icons by heading to stock launcher settings.
This new change is currently present in the WhatsApp Beta 2.18.74 version. If you are not a beta tester, head over to Google Play Store and sign up for the program. If you're already a beta tester, update your app to enjoy the adaptive launcher icons.
It's unknown when this feature will make into the stable version of Android, but for now, it's limited to beta users. Recently, WhatsApp also introduced Notification Channels feature for Android Oreo users, allowing users to set the priority of different level for an incoming notification.
Going forward, WhatsApp will introduce features such as WhatsApp Stickers Store, group video calls, and more. All these features will firstly make into the beta version becoming headed to the stable version. So sign up for the beta program to use these features ahead of others.
