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Tag: whatsapp

  • WhatsApp tests Material Design tweaks on Android to make it look more like its iOS app

    WhatsApp tests Material Design tweaks on Android to make it look more like its iOS app

    WhatsApp has been hard at work lately adding features and applying design tweaks in order to set itself apart from competing products and become more relevant in the U.S. market, where SMS/MMS/RCS and iMessage are king. The latest of these attempts being its apparent attempt to make its iOS and Android apps look more alike than ever.

    In the latest update of WhatsApp Beta on Android (v2.23.13.16), as reported by WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp appears to be experimenting with a bottom navigation bar (also called an action bar) in the style of Material Design 3.
    The navigation bar will replace the current tabbed interface that sits at the top of the chat list. This gives users the option to access Chats, Communities, Status, and Calls from the bottom by cycling through a more clearly labeled navigation system accentuated by its corresponding icons.
    The bottom navigation bar switches between a dark and white color scheme, depending on your theme choice. This is the same navigation bar that is used on the iOS version of WhatsApp, and it is more in line with Google’s design guidelines for Android apps.
    The new bottom navigation bar is currently being tested with a limited number of users, but it is expected to be rolled out to everyone eventually. The change is likely to be welcomed by users who prefer a more simplified interface, and it will also make it easier to use WhatsApp with one hand.

    In addition to the new bottom navigation bar, WhatsApp has also been rolling out Material Design tweaks such as redesigned switches and floating action buttons with rounded menus. It is unclear when these changes will be rolled out to everyone, as they are currently available in beta and to a limited amount of users, but they are all part of WhatsApp’s efforts to improve the app’s user experience.

  • WhatsApp update adds option to automatically silence unknown callers

    WhatsApp update adds option to automatically silence unknown callers

    WhatsApp users have been spoiled lately, as Meta’s acquisition rolled out several important updates in the last few months, something that doesn’t happen too often. Today’s update introduces a couple of privacy features that we’re pretty sure users will find extremely useful.

    As the title says, a new option to automatically silence unknown callers is now available for WhatsApp users. Specifically designed to prevent spam, scams, and calls from unknown people, the new feature provides increased protection and peace of mind.

    The new feature can be enabled from the Privacy tab / Calls and while all calls from unknown numbers will be silenced, they will still be shown in the Call list just in case you recognize one of the numbers or you know it’s coming from someone important.

    In addition to the Silence Unknown Callers feature, WhatsApp announced that it’s bringing Privacy Checkup to its app. It’s a step-by-step feature meant to guide users through important privacy settings and familiarize them with certain levels of protection.

    WhatsApp users can now select “Start checkup” from their Privacy settings to browse through multiple privacy layers that increase the security of messages, calls and personal information.

    These two new features should be available globally for all WhatsApp users, but make sure to update to the latest version of the app before trying to use either of them.

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  • Soon you’ll be able to send higher-quality images via WhatsApp on iOS and Android

    Soon you’ll be able to send higher-quality images via WhatsApp on iOS and Android

    WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature allowing users to send high-definition (HD) photos on iOS and Android. The feature, which is currently being tested by a small group of beta testers, will allow users to send images without them being heavily compressed, although a light compression will still apply.

    As per WABetaInfo‘s reporting, the new option is available in the latest beta version of WhatsApp on Android (v2.23.12.13) and iOS (v23.11.0.76). However, this option is just that — an option — and not the default setting. This means that it will need to be selected anytime you want to send an image with lighter compression.
    The current photo-sending options include “auto,” “best quality,” and “data saver,” but none of these options allow for no compression at all. Like other popular messaging applications, WhatsApp utilizes automatic compression of photos and videos to minimize their size and facilitate expedited image transfers.

    Once you’ve chosen an image, you can send it at a higher quality by tapping the new HD icon at the top. However, the option only appears if you are trying to send an image with higher resolution.

    It doesn’t look like this feature will extend to videos, which is a shame considering that WhatsApp is used by many as an alternative to iMessage/RCS when sending videos cross-platform. However, there is a workaround to this by attaching the movie as a document instead of a media file.

    It is unknown when this feature will roll out to the masses as it is only just now rolling out in beta. However, The new HD photo and lightly compressed image feature is a significant improvement to WhatsApp’s media sharing capabilities and will allow users to send higher quality photos and videos to friends and family without worrying about file size or compression.
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  • WhatsApp beta for Android begins rollout of redesigned emoji keyboard

    WhatsApp beta for Android begins rollout of redesigned emoji keyboard

    WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, is experimenting with a new redesigned Emoji keyboard that divides emoji, GIFs and stickers into three categories on the top. This keyboard was first spotted as being in development but now it’s starting to roll out in the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android v2.23.12.13 from the Google Play Store.

    This development is being reported by WABetaInfo along with images of what the new keyboard looks like. The rollout is not global though and it looks like it’s being gradually pushed server-side to beta users.
    With this new keyboard, WhatsApp users will be able to scroll up on the keyboard and enjoy a full-screen view of the emoji list. However, you must first initiate a chat to check if your account has this capability. Additionally, a select number of beta testers may also notice a reorganization of the media sharing and emoji keyboard buttons.
    Besides the changes to the keyboard, this latest beta also adds a new feature called “Community Settings,” which lets community admins choose who can add groups. This group setting is set to “Only community admins” by default, but you can change it to allow community members to add their own groups.
    Unfortunately, the beta version of WhatsApp on the Google Play Store is perpetually full and rarely open for new users to sign up for. However, if you were lucky enough to grab a spot, you should definitely update to the newest version to try this out. Likewise, if you are able to sign up in the future, you must definitely sign up as well so you can secure your spot to beta test.
    Emojis have become an integral part of digital communication, allowing users to express emotions, convey messages, and add a touch of personalization to their conversations. By enhancing the emoji keyboard, WhatsApp hopes to elevate the way users engage and enhance the user experience.
  • WhatsApp finally rolls out the ability to edit messages

    WhatsApp finally rolls out the ability to edit messages

    Tipped a few times in the past by reliable sources, the ability to edit WhatsApp messages is finally coming to all users. WhatsApp confirmed earlier today that users should see the new feature over the coming weeks.

    Correcting a misspelling or changing the message completely to provide extra context can now be done via a simple long-press on the sent message. You’ll have to choose the Edit option from the menu, which will only be available for up to 15 minutes.

    Despite the fact that it comes with one limitation, more often than not we notice a misspelling or change our mind regarding a WhatsApp message soon after it’s been sent. As expected, all edited messages will display “edited” alongside them, allowing recipients to see the correction without showing edit history.

    According to WhatsApp, all edited messages, just like personal messages, media and calls, are protected by end-to-end encryption. Although the rollout of the new feature has already begun, WhatsApp states that it will be available to everyone “in the coming weeks,” so be patient if you don’t see the option to Edit messages right away.

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  • WhatsApp introduces new Chat Lock feature for those sensitive conversations

    WhatsApp introduces new Chat Lock feature for those sensitive conversations

    WhatsApp has announced a new feature called “Chat Lock” that adds an extra layer of privacy to its users’ most private chats. This feature allows users to lock a chat thread so that it can only be viewed after once again entering the device’s password or fingerprint.

    WhatsApp touts this feature as a tool to make sure its users are able to keep their private talks private, even if the smartphone in question is passed around or someone is able to get into it without permission. This also works with notifications, making sure that any notifications from a locked chat does not show a preview of what is being said.

    With WhatsApp Chat Lock, you can make sure that your private talks stay private even if someone gets into your device without your permission. Whether you share sensitive information, talk about personal things, or have private conversations, this new tool gives you the power to keep your privacy at its highest level.

    The announcement is accompanied by a video highlighting how the feature works and how it can be convenient in family settings where the phone could be borrowed several times by others to either take a photo or participate in a video chat. In it, you see the main character escape several scenarios where his private conversation could have been made public, only to be saved by the existence of this feature.

    Locked chats can be accessed via the “Locked chats” folder, which can only be accessed by authenticating via the same method you use to unlock your phone. Locked chats will also be expanded in the coming months with new features such as extending the lock to companion devices and the ability to apply a different password to your locked chat folder than the one being used to unlock the device.

    The latter helps when you want to give access to your phone to someone else by sharing your device pin, but still want to keep specific WhatsApp chats private. Currently, you are able to lock the entire WhatsApp application with your chosen authentication method, but this takes it one step further by targeting specific conversations. The feature is rolling out in the latest version of the app.
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  • WhatsApp test the ability to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp test the ability to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging app, has released a new beta version for Android – version 2.23.10.13. This latest update brings several new features and improvements to the app, including the ability to edit sent messages for some select users.
    The key feature with this update would allow users to edit messages they have already sent. WhatsApp users have highly requested this feature for some time, as it would give them the ability to correct mistakes or clarify unclear messages that were perhaps sent accidentally.
    As reported by WABetaInfo, the feature allows users to tap on a sent message and select the “Edit” option from the top menu. They could then make changes to the message, and the edited version would be visible to all recipients of the original message.
    However, there are some limitations to the feature – edited messages will still show a notification that they have been edited, and there will be a limit on how much time users have to edit their messages after they have been sent. The current time limit to edit a message is within 15 minutes of sending it, and you cannot edit a message that you sent from a different device. Once edited, the message will show an “edited” label on it to notify other users that the message is no longer the original one.
    Not all users enrolled in the WhatsApp Beta Program are currently able to test this feature, as it appears to be rolling out to only a certain amount of users, suggesting a staged rollout. Hopefully this won’t take long to roll out to the stable version of WhatsApp, as I anticipate many users would likely welcome it. However, it remains to be seen if and when the feature will become widely available to all.
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  • WhatsApp Android bug has been found to give the app continuous access to the microphone

    WhatsApp Android bug has been found to give the app continuous access to the microphone

    WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Facebook, has been found to include a bug that allows the app to continue accessing the microphone even after the user has closed it. This bug was discovered by several users, but brought to the spotlight by a Twitter engineer who noticed it happening on his Pixel 7 Pro.

    The bug appears to be affecting several Android devices, including different Samsung and Pixel models, as well as several different versions of the Android app. However, WhatsApp has responded by claiming that the issue lies with Android, not the app itself.
    In several of these reports, microphone activity from the app has been spotted in Android’s Privacy Dashboard as well as through the visible green dot notification on the Android status bar. However, WhatsApp states that this seems to be a bug on Android that mis-attributes information in the privacy dashboard and has asked Google to investigate further.
    Unfortunately, WhatsApp’s response didn’t come until after Elon Musk took to his Twitter account to share his opinion. As you can probably guess by now, his reaction was not positive, accusing the company of not being trustworthy.
    This latest bug could further erode users’ trust in the app, so it is important that Google take a look at the issue and respond accordingly. Hopefully this fix comes sooner rather than later.
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  • WhatsApp launches new features for polls and captions

    WhatsApp launches new features for polls and captions

    WhatsApp is bringing new features to those using polls and captions on its messaging platform. Three new updates for polls are now available for WhatsApp users, as well as a new option to share with captions. Three new changes have been added to the polls feature, each significantly improving productivity and the fun factor.

    The first one is the ability to create single-vote polls. This new type of poll allows people to vote only once. Poll creators must turn off the “allow multiple answers” option to prevent people from voting more than once.

    Another interesting new feature introduced today is the ability to search for polls in a chat window. It makes it easier to find a poll that you decide to answer later. A new option to filter messages by polls is now available in WhatsApp, which is similar to the one that filters photos, videos or links. The new filter can be found by pressing Search on the Chats screen and then choosing Polls.

    The third and last update for polls is aimed at poll creators. Notifications will now be sent to poll creators when people vote. In addition, poll creators will now be able to see how many people have voted in total with every notification they receive.

    As far as captions goes, WhatsApp announced that users can now share documents with captions. Also, when forwarding any type of media that has a caption, new options are now available to keep, delete or completely rewrite it to provide more details when sharing photos between chats. WhatsApp users can also add a caption to photos and videos when they forward them.

    According to WhatsApp, all the new features announced today will be rolled out to users globally in the coming weeks, so be patient if these don’t show for you immediately.

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  • WhatsApp rolls out the ability to use one account across multiple phones

    WhatsApp rolls out the ability to use one account across multiple phones

    WhatsApp has recently introduced a new feature that allows users to use their WhatsApp account on multiple devices. This feature has been long-awaited and is now finally available for both Android and iOS users.

    Previously, users could only use their WhatsApp account on one Android or iOS smartphone at a time, but with the ability to extend it to your tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. This required that your smartphone be your main WhatsApp device and the others would be linked via WhatsApp Web or the official WhatsApp Mac app. This solution worked great for many, however, you still could not use the app in more than one phone and needed to unlink and relink your account any time you wanted to switch mobile devices, which was inconvenient and time-consuming for many users.

    Now, with the new update recently announced via the WhatsApp blog, you will be able to switch between devices without any hassle seamlessly. This is great news for those that frequently switch between phones, such as between Android and iOS, or who have both a business and a personal device.
    To use this feature, you will still need to designate a primary phone, just as you’ve been able to do in the past with up to four devices, except now one of those linked devices can be a secondary or backup phone. On your secondary phone, open WhatsApp and tap Agree & Continue, followed by selecting “link this device to an existing account.” This will provide you with a QR code that will need to be scanned by your primary phone.
    One of the great things about this feature is that your messages and other data are end-to-end encrypted and stored locally on each device. This means your conversations are still private and secure, even when using multiple devices. However, there are some limitations.
    A few of the limitations include the lack of live location and status features on companion phones. Additionally, if you fail to use your primary phone for over 14 days, your companion phones will be logged out as they depend on the primary phone for the connection. Lastly, linked companion phones will always show the message “This is a linked device. Learn more” in Settings.
    This update has already begun to roll out to users worldwide, and should be accessible to everyone in the next weeks. In addition, over the next several weeks, WhatsApp will be rolling out a new way to link companion devices, which involves the use of a one-time code instead of a QR code.
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  • Update to Android’s WhatsApp Beta app makes it easier to use

    Update to Android’s WhatsApp Beta app makes it easier to use

    WhatsApp is making a change to its UI as it is in the process of disseminating an update to the Beta version of its Android app. As per WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is moving its navigation tabs (the ones on the top of the Android app that include Communities, Chats, Status, and Calls) to the bottom of the screen. This should make WhatsApp easier to use one-handed on large-screened devices. Moving elements to the bottom of the screen is what Samsung does with its One UI interface.
    The new look is found in version 2.23.8.4 of the Android WhatsApp Beta app. To find out which version of WhatsApp you are using, open the app and tap the three-dot overflow menu icon on the right top of the screen. Go to Settings > Help > App info. Wouldn’t you know it, the version of WhatsApp Beta on my Pixel 6 Pro is running version 2.23.8.3. Oh so close! Eventually, the feature will also be found on the public version of the app although it might take a few weeks before this happens.
    With the navigation tabs on the bottom, the Android version of WhatsApp will match the iOS version of the messaging app. The WhatsApp iOS app already has navigation tabs at the bottom of the screen. Moving the tabs to the bottom of the screen is something that Android WhatsApp users have been asking for and now WhatsApp is giving them what they want.
    With WhatsApp, users can enjoy messaging that is protected with end-to-end encryption, make phone calls, and engage in video chats. The Meta-owned platform has over 5 billion installs on Android alone and counts 2.24 billion global active users. 100 billion messages are exchanged over WhatsApp every single day.
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  • WhatsApp may soon allow you to lock specific chats

    WhatsApp may soon allow you to lock specific chats

    It seems like ages ago when WhatsApp faced intense criticism about its lack of security features. That, however, isn’t something that can be said in today’s reality, where WhatsApp is one of the most feature-rich messaging apps on the market.

    While end-to-end encryption and sweet features such as spam prevention are awesome, there are always ways to step up the game further. So how about the ability to lock specific chats? Options like this are highly coveted, especially to those of us who use their phones for work.

    Well, WABetaInfo — the blog dedicated to uncovering the hidden features of the WhatsApp beta program — has managed to unearth exactly this type of feature. It seems to be still in development, but traces of it are found in the WhatsApp beta release for Android, version 2.23.8.2.

    The feature is seemingly designed to enhance user privacy, allowing users to lock individual and specific chats with a passcode or on-device biometrics. When locked, chats won’t display previews and any media on them won’t be automatically downloaded.

    After a locked chat has been set up, only persons, who are able to verify through the chosen security measure, can gain access to their contents. Chats of this type will be kept in a separate category too, for an extra bit of clarity.

    Naturally, this doesn’t mean that such a choice will impact all WhatsApp conversations. Users can enable the feature on a by-chat basis, ensuring that only those chats containing sensitive information remain behind an extra security layer.

    As of now, we have no word on when this feature will be rolled out officially by WhatsApp, but it appears to be in development at the moment. If you are interested in being among the first users to try it out, then make sure to sign up for the WhatsApp beta program.

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  • OTT services like Telegram, WhatsApp must be managed locally

    OTT services like Telegram, WhatsApp must be managed locally

    Over-the-top media services, including popular messaging apps like Telegram, need to be managed under the Law on Telecommunications, according to amendments to it proposed by the government.

    The Ministry of Information and Communications said OTT services could be considered direct substitutes for traditional communications like calling and texting, and popular apps like Zalo, Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp come under this category.

    “There are currently no provisions in the law for managing them, and so there is no way to protect users and information safety and security.”

    The ministry also called for a level playing field for domestic and foreign businesses. Specifically, for OTT telecom services that collect fees, domestic providers need to be approved to do so, while international providers need to have commercial agreements with an approved domestic provider to do so, it proposed.

    Even for OTT telecom services that do not have fees, the ministry proposed that their providers still need to register with the information ministry. International, large-scale providers with service in Vietnam meanwhile must either have commercial agreements or place their representative offices in Vietnam to make sure they abide by local law.

    At a conference held Thursday to discuss the amendments, Vu Tu Thanh of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council said OTT service providers have no connection with telecom providers.

    “For instance requiring Viber to sign an agreement with VNPT … We don’t know exactly what terms such an agreement would have,” Thanh said.

    Officials proposing the amendments yet said managing OTT services will ensure users’ protection and information security.

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  • WhatsApp’s upcoming update will help you combat unwanted spam

    WhatsApp’s upcoming update will help you combat unwanted spam

    At this point, is it any wonder that WhatsApp is one of the first-choice IM (instant messaging) apps out there? It is available on both Android and iOS, it has end-to-end encryption for extra security and — most notably — it is constantly getting updated with new features.

    But people don’t just use WhatsApp for themselves — numerous businesses opt to have a WhatSapp communication channel open, so that customers can get in touch more easily. While that sounds awesome, it also means that their info is public, and as such, not every caller is a customer, per say.

    Luckily, WhatsApp realizes the value of this utilization of its app, and as such is reportedly working on a feature to help users handle spam calls more effectively. This information comes courtesy of WABetaInfo and it describes how one toggle can take care of all of this spam-related hassle.

    The WABetaInfo team has managed to uncover development traces of this new feature through the latest release of the WhatsApp beta program on Android. By the looks of things, this is intended to function as follows: users can mute calls from unknown callers. Simple as that!

    That, however, wouldn’t be helpful for businesses. As such, WhatsApp will still let users keep a record on who has called, just in case there is ever a need to call back. Said records will be kept in the Call List and Notification Center, just as with any other call.

    Right now, the feature is still under development, so we don’t really have a release date for this one. But by the sound of things, it will be worth the wait, as it will not only help alleviate the stress of spam calls, but also help with combating scammers and trolls.

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  • WhatsApp for Android is beta testing split view on tablets

    WhatsApp for Android is beta testing split view on tablets

    The tablet version of WhatsApp now has access to a split view thanks to a new update that was just released. The update was made available for the Android beta app on the Play Store for those fortunate enough to make it into the beta program.
    News of this update was reported by Wabetainfo which found that this change took place with the beta Android WhatsApp app, version 2.22.21.6. This newest change builds upon the WhatsApp version released in September 2022, which was compatible with tablets but not optimized for use on larger screens.
    This new feature is a game-changer for users because it optimizes the interface for tablets, it provides a better experience on a larger screen, and users can now view and use two different sections of the app simultaneously side by side on their tablet screen, as seen on the below screenshot:
    In the past, when users opened a chat on the tablet version of WhatsApp, the chat view would take up the entire screen. Users would then have to return to the chat list each time they wanted to switch to a different conversation. This new feature will allow users to switch between conversations without returning to the chat list since it will be consistently visible whenever a chat window is opened.
    After installing the most recent update of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Play Store, users will have access to a redesigned user interface optimized for tablet use. However, if the new feature isn’t available to you after installing the latest beta, Wabetainfo states that there will be an upcoming update that will unlock this feature for even more users. Unfortunately, if you do not already have access to the beta version of WhatsApp, you will not be able to sign up at this time as the beta program is almost always full.
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