WhatsApp is one of the leading instant messaging apps worldwide on both Android and iOS. One reason for its massive popularity is the frequency of updates packed with new features and changes. We recently covered some of the exciting new WhatsApp features that have been released for users.
But before these features are made available to everyone, they undergo a testing process called beta testing. WhatsApp has a publicly available beta app on Android, where users can sign up to test the upcoming features, before these are rolled out for all. In this article, we will talk about 8 new WhatsApp features coming soon to users in 2024. These features are currently in beta testing on Android, iOS, or the web.
Favourite Contacts for Quick Calls
WhatsApp is primarily used for staying in touch with loved ones through text, but it also supports voice and video calling. Now, WhatsApp is working on a new Favourite Contacts feature to make it more convenient to connect with frequently called contacts. The feature was spotted on iOS beta version 24.3.10.70 by WhatsAppBetaInfo, which is known for spotting upcoming features on the platform.
It is expected that long pressing a contact name will add it to the favourites list but the actual process could also be different. All Favourite Contacts will appear on the top of the calls tab.
Pinned Events for WhatsApp Communities
If you are a WhatsApp Communities user, the team is working on the Pinned Events feature. This upcoming feature works exactly the way its name suggests. It will make it easier for members to check details of upcoming events like dates and places.
The best part is that community admins will not have to pin events manually. WhatsApp will automatically detect upcoming events and pin them to the community description page. The new feature will eliminate the need to search or scroll through tons of messages to find details about an upcoming event.
WhatsApp File Sharing
WhatsApp is working on adding a native file-sharing functionality for its users. It was recently spotted on Android and is similar to Google’s Quick Share. The feature currently supports sharing files up to 2GB in size, but this size support could increase in the future.
The file-sharing option will be available through a new People Nearby section. It will show people nearby with whom you can share files. Users will be able to initiate and accept a file-sharing request by shaking their devices.
The feature is said to be end-to-end encrypted and phone numbers will stay hidden. The latter is helpful when you are sharing or receiving files from someone who is not in your contact list.
Change WhatsApp Theme Colour
There is no doubt WhatsApp has numerous features to improve the user experience and privacy, but there is one aspect where it lags behind the competition. And that has to be the customization part as the app looks the same for everyone, except for chat wallpapers. The good news is the team is working on a new WhatsApp theme colour-changing feature.
The feature was spotted on iOS and was seen under a new section called Appearance. The beta version has five colour options: Green, Blue, White, Coral, and Purple. The report added users may even get to tweak chat bubble colours in the future.
Verified Badge for Business Channels
WhatsApp Business Channels will soon be allowed to apply for the Blue verified badge. The shared screenshot reveals that once a verified badge is added, the name and profile picture of the channel will change to match the verified business channel details. This will be done to show the authenticity and make the channel stand apart from the competition.
One important thing to note is that WhatsApp Business Channel owners will need to pay for Meta Verified to get the verified badge.
WhatsApp Usernames
Since its early days, WhatsApp has used phone numbers to connect users. This is a convenient method, but also poses a privacy threat. This seems to be the reason WhatsApp is finally working on adding usernames. It will let users set a unique username that can be used to connect with people, thus avoiding the need to share phone numbers entirely.
The beta feature was first spotted on Android but most recently, it was expanded to the web version as well. Usernames are seen on almost all the major social media and instant messaging apps. It is good to see WhatsApp finally embracing it as well.
WhatsApp Photo and Video Status Sharing in HD Quality
WhatsApp recently resolved one of the most common user complaints. It added native support for sharing photos and videos in HD quality. The team is now ready to expand that support to WhatsApp Status sharing. The app currently compresses and ruins the media quality when shared on status.
This should change soon as WhatsApp beta on Android was spotted with an HD quality option while sharing status. Users will need to tap the option to enable HD media sharing, similar to how it works in chats.
Listen to Video and Music Audio During Video Calls
WhatsApp is looking to enhance video calling capabilities by letting users share video and music audio directly from the device. This new functionality will work through the screen-sharing feature. It means whatever audio will play on your device will be audible to all the recipients on the video call.
However, this feature will not work if you are on an audio video or a video call with the camera turned off. It was spotted on iOS beta version 23.25.10.72.
