Update: WhatsApp has now rolled out the much-awaited feature – edit messages. The Meta-owned instant messaging app teased its edit messages feature earlier in the day. Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that WhatsApp users can now edit sent messages for up to 15 minutes.
The original story continues….
The feature has been available for several beta users for a while. In fact, the feature was spotted to be in the works nearly a year ago. Unfortunately, WhatsApp did not explicitly mention the name of the feature. However, an 18-second-long video hints at the release of the edit messages feature.
The feature is likely to be available on multiple platforms. WhatsApp has been testing the feature not just on mobile but on its web version as well. Let’s take a look at the upcoming WhatsApp edit messages feature and how can you use it ahead of the rollout.
WhatsApp Edit Messages: How Will It Work?
WhatsApp has confirmed that the edit messages feature will be available soon on the messaging app. However, the exact date of the rollout is unknown. WhatsApp only confirmed that the feature is coming soon while highlighting the edit messages feature in different languages.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) May 21, 2023
The feature is likely to be available soon on Android and iOS devices. It was spotted being tested in the iOS 23.6.0.74 beta version of the iPhone app. It was also available on the beta version of the Android app in September 2022. as well. The beta version of the web app was also spotted with the upcoming edit messages feature. According to WABetaInfo, users will have a limited window before they can edit a message on WhatsApp. While the official video did not reveal any details, WABetaInfo claims that the beta version allowed users to edit messages within 15 minutes.
During the 15-minute window, users can long-press a particular message they want to edit. After long-pressing a message, they will see the “Edit Message” action button. Tap on it, and a new window with the message to be edited will pop up.
Notably, users can edit a message multiple times during the 15-minute editing window. It is being said that WhatsApp will allow users to edit messages only within a span of 15 minutes to maintain the authenticity of the conversation. However, it is unknown if the app will show a log that maintains the list of edits made during the editing timeframe.
WhatsApp will play catch-up with a bunch of rival messaging apps that have already been providing the feature for months. Telegram, once of WhatsApp’s arch rivals, has had the edit messages feature available for years. That being said, it is nice to see WhatsApp confirming the release of the anticipated feature for its users across platforms.
The company recently rolled out another feature that lets users lock chats within the app. The privacy-focused feature adds another layer of security for chats. WhatsApp has made Touch ID/ Face ID-based authentication available for even opening the app on iOS and Android, which has been available for years.
