Millions of WhatsApp users may notice their app changing over the coming weeks and months.
Details of major changes (some of which are already live) have been revealed.
That’s because WhatsApp typically tests new features and tweaks in a special test version of the app called a beta.
This means we hear about changes before they go live to the world.
WhatsApp – as well as the sleuths at WABetaInfo – this week revealed seven major app updates.
It means you need to look out for some tweaks on your WhatsApp app.
And things will be even more exciting if you’re using the beta.
WhatsApp updates revealed
Here are some of the changes coming up…
- Communities, polls and profile icons rolling out to group chats (live)
- The ability to disable call notifications (Windows beta)
- An adjustment of the entry points for editing privacy and avatar settings (Android beta)
- New voice and video call features including 32-person calls, muting participants on a call, sending call links, voice waveforms and more (live)
- Two new sticker packs (live)
- Three new large heart emojis (Android beta)
- Picture-in-picture for video calling on iPhone (coming early 2023, live in beta)
Some of these features are live right now, so you can try them in the app.
Others are only available in the beta for testing.
It’s impossible to say exactly when these new features will land – it could take weeks or even months.
Follow our guide below to get involved.
How to get WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iOS is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Source: The-Sun