WhatsApp is adding a dedicated Meta AI tab and it changes how the app works

WhatsApp is rolling out a new Meta AI tab that brings all its AI features into one place.

First spotted by WABetaInfo in the latest TestFlight beta, this update introduces a dedicated entry point for Meta AI directly in the tab bar. Instead of accessing AI features through chats, everything now lives in a single, centralized space.

A new Meta AI tab replaces Communities

Dedicated Meta AI tab in WhatsApp — Image Credit: Wabetainfo

WhatsApp replaces the Communities tab with a new Meta AI tab. That means AI is no longer a secondary feature. It is now part of the core navigation.

Communities have not been removed completely. You can still access them inside the Chats tab, where they appear alongside regular conversations and can be filtered when needed.

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Inside the new tab, Meta AI feels more like a full platform than a chatbot.

You get a conversational assistant that can answer questions, explain topics, and help with everyday tasks. There are also built-in suggestions that guide you on what you can actually do with it, which makes the experience easier to explore.

From this, it is clear that WhatsApp is trying to make AI more discoverable rather than hiding it in a single chat thread.

Also read: Meta AI collects the most personal data among iPhone chatbots, new report finds

Image generation and animation tools are built in

One of the more interesting additions is visual creation.

You can generate images using text prompts directly inside WhatsApp. There is also an option to animate those images, turning static visuals into short motion-based content.

This pushes Meta AI beyond just text. It starts to look more like a lightweight creative tool that sits inside a messaging app.

You get more control over how Meta AI works

WhatsApp is also adding controls that make the experience more customizable.

You can switch between different AI voices, which changes how responses sound during interactions. There is also a memory feature that lets you manage what Meta AI remembers about you.

That includes:

Viewing stored preferences
Updating saved details
Deleting specific memories

This makes it easier to keep responses relevant without losing control over your data.

Chat history now works more like ChatGPT

Meta AI chats are now organized into separate threads, similar to how tools like ChatGPT structure conversations.

Each thread can be renamed, which helps when using AI for different tasks. You can revisit past chats, continue ongoing work, or pick up where you left off without scrolling through a single long conversation.

Even with separate threads, Meta AI can still use shared memory across chats, so responses remain consistent.