Install the New Beta Version of Android Slack for a Cleaner User Experience
I try not to use Slack on my phone if I can avoid it – there should be few notifications – but if I did, I would definitely do it on Android. And I would also be sure to beta test the Slack app for Android, because the new UI improvements Slack is testing make it even easier to navigate the app.
This is one of those “see to believe” things, and I’ll show you the changes a bit. Generally speaking, Slack adds a tiny navigation bar to the bottom of the app that gives you quick access to your Slack channel list, DM, mentions and you section, where you can enable do not disturb / away, set status, edit your profile, etc.
Combining these elements into one navigation bar is much easier than clicking on tiny Slack icons, including the three-stripe hamburger in the top-left corner of the regular version of the app. The beta is an elegant and simple experience and I already fell in love with it within five minutes of using it.
Old view
A New Look
How to flip in the new Slack
In addition to that lovely navigation bar at the bottom, Slack has also tweaked the app’s swipes a bit. Swipe right inside a channel and you will open your large channel list as usual. Swipe again and you get this new screen, not a direct listing of your workspaces:
The next one is a little confusing. If you are in any of the non-channel main navigation controls – Home, DM, Mentions, or You – swipe left to return to the last channel you viewed … If you are already in a channel, swiping to the left does nothing.
How to join the beta Slack
If you’re using Android, just open Google Play, search for Slack and find the Join Beta link:
After you join, give him a minute or so and refresh your Slack list on Google Play. You will see an available app update. Install it, force close Slack on your device (if it was open) and reopen it to enjoy a brand new (in beta) user interface.