Latest WhatsApp Update Adds iPhone XS Max Support, Hints at Future Dark Mode - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Latest WhatsApp Update Adds iPhone XS Max Support, Hints at Future Dark Mode

by

whatsappWhatsApp received an update this morning that adds official support for the larger display on Apple's iPhone XS Max, as well as some other improvements and new clues on what's next for the messaging platform.

Prior to today's update, the WhatsApp interface didn't scale properly on the 2,688 x 1,242 resolution screen exclusive to Apple's new 6.5-inch device, but happily the issue has been fixed in this update and the UI now takes full advantage of the larger OLED display.

Elsewhere in this version (2.18.100), WhatsApp has introduced a redesigned contextual action menu for message bubbles in chat threads. Previously, a long press on a message would bring up a horizontal popup menu similar to the one found elsewhere in iOS.

whatsapp message menu

Old message action menu (left) versus redesigned menu

In contrast, the new vertical menu masks the background to highlight the selected message and allows more options to be shown in the first popup, with an ellipsis replacing the arrow button to reveal additional actions.

Elsewhere, consecutive voice messages now play in sequence, so users no longer have to tap play on each message. The latest update also adds new reply options to user status messages, with documents, voice messages, locations and vCards being added to the existing text, images, GIFs and videos.

In addition to these changes, WABetaInfo has uncovered alpha code in the latest version suggesting future features for the app will include an optional Dark Mode and the ability to preview videos in WhatsApp notifications.

alpha dark mode whatsapp

Image via WABetaInfo

In the hidden Dark Mode, incoming messages currently have a dark gray color and outgoing messages are dark green, but it's worth noting that the theme is still in early testing and may look very different when the Dark Mode officially goes live.

WhatsApp is a free download for iPhone available from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

97 months ago
Thomas, post: 26685856, member: 1021539"]Following up with Telegram, but most likely they'll fail to implement the automatic switching...
I don't understand why so many people stick with WA...
You try convincing all of you friends to switch, and your friends’ friends to switch and so on..
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
97 months ago
To me, dark mode seems a bit overrated!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
97 months ago
I still hate that I can't use this on my iPad.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
97 months ago
Following up with Telegram, but most likely they'll fail to implement the automatic switching...
I don't understand why so many people stick with WA...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
97 months ago
How long does it take to implement dark mode? :/ One of the last apps to do so (that I use). Hate WhatsApp with a passion, but like others stated here.... try convincing a horde of family/friends to switch to something else.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
97 months ago
I've most people I frequently talk to on Telegram. Some are lazy to switch, but a proper Desktop Client and tablet support is something that most people quickly learn to appreciate.
The bad thing on TG is that it by default doesn't have E2E encryption enabled, which WA has, but most likely that's security only on the paper.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Released Yet Another New Product Today

Friday March 20, 2026 2:39 pm PDT by
Apple has unveiled a whopping nine new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the all-new MacBook Neo, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, AirPods Max 2, and now the Nike Powerbeats Pro 2. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
ios 26 4 pastel

iOS 26.4: Top 10 New Features Coming to Your iPhone

Friday March 20, 2026 2:44 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 isn't the major update with new Siri features that we hoped for, but there are some useful quality of life improvements, and a little bit of fun with an AI playlist generator and new emoji characters. Playlist Playground - Apple Music has a Playlist Playground option that lets you generate playlists from text-based descriptions. You can include moods, feelings, activities, or...