6 changes coming to WhatsApp – including new emojis
Communication service WhatsApp has a host of new features that are rolling out or in the beta stage.
According to the data service WABetaInfo, some of the latest include video messages, improvements to the windows desktop app and voice status updates.
WhatsApp is incredibly popular in South Africa and is the most downloaded free app on the Google Play Store and the third most popular free app on the IOS App Store.
With its popularity, WhatsApp is known for its constant updates and beta testing.
The updates usually bring new features and improvements, while the beta testing program allows a select group of users to test features before they are officially released to the broader public – improving the overall experience.
Here are six recently seen updates for WhatsApp:
Video messaging
A new WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.6.0.73 shows work is underway to bring video messages to the platform.
Although WhatsApp already allows for voice notes, the company is now working on adding video messages in a future update.
WABetainfo said that the new feature would allow users to record and send 60-second videos to their contacts by simply pushing the camera button.
New desktop app
WhatsApp recently announced that a new windows desktop app is now available.
WABetainfo said the new app loads faster and allows for audio calls with up to 32 people and group video calls of 8 people.
The new app also offered end-to-end encryption messages across all devices, with better syncing and other new features.
Official chat
WhatsApp has also officially launched a new chat where users on IOS and Android can receive the latest updates and news regarding the app.
According to WABetainfo, the new chat will feature a green tick so that users can verify that the account is legitimate.
It is currently only possible to open the official chat if a user has received a message from it.
Improved privacy
The meta-owned messenger is also rolling out new features for group admins to improve privacy on Android and IOS.
WABetainfo said that group admins can now decide who can join a group when sharing a group invite link or making a group joinable without sending a private message to the community admin.
Users can now see if they have any groups in common with other users. WhatsApp will now allow users to search for groups a contact is a member of by searching their name.
Voice status updates
WhatsApp for iOS 23.5.75 is also rolling out voice status updates.
WABetaifno said that some of its community have not been able to access the feature. It said certain users might have to wait a few weeks to access the new feature.
Voice notes on a status can not be longer than 30 seconds, and users can share their voice notes from their chats to their status.
New emojis
The Android 2.23.5.13 beta also introduced 21 new emojis with Unicode 15.0 for some beta testers.
The 21 new emojis address a problem where users could receive these emojis but could not send them without workarounds.
According to WABetainfo, the new emojis include changes to hearts, animals, foods, and other miscellaneous pictograms.
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