What Happened To WhatsApp in September | All New Features Spotted
This article talks about all the new features and changes spotted in WhatsApp Android, WhatsApp for Windows and WhatsApp Web. No, I don’t cover iOS or MAC versions for now.
First things first, now WhatsApp Channels are available to everyone and we have our own WhatsApp Channel for you to catch up on all the latest app updates and tech news within WhatsApp.
Okay with that said let’s see the agenda for today…
Table of Contents
We can now use two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone
Yes, You can now use two WhatsApp accounts with a single mobile thanks to this new WhatsApp feature.
This means you no longer need to download cloning apps like Second Space or Parallel Space to use multiple WhatsApp accounts.
Currently, the ability to add another account for WhatsApp is available for testers only and will be available to everyone soon.
WhatsApp authentication became more secure
WhatsApp added Passkeys to authenticate WhatsApp with your preferred Google account.
Passkey is a more secure and simpler authentication mechanism. This allows you to sign into a program by confirming the screen lock (Fingerprint, Face or PIN) of the connected device.
Currently, WhatsApp passkeys are being tested within selected users and soon will be available to everyone.
Sending original quality pictures and videos with WhatsApp is now easier than ever
WhatsApp added a new option called Choose from Gallery to easily select and send original quality photos and videos in WhatsApp.
Currently, the Choose from Gallery option when attaching a document is being tested for selected users. Others can already attach the original quality images only the Choose from Gallery option is new.
Who can add members to a WhatsApp community?
Thanks to a new setting now community admins can allow other community participants to add members to a community as well.
Currently, the ability to control who can add members to a WhatsApp community is available to all admins.
Minor WhatsApp changes in WhatsApp Android
A toggle to turn off Instant video messages feature
After launching the instant video messages later WhatsApp also added a new toggle to disable the video messages feature if a user wants as well.
Kudos to WhatsApp for giving more control to users and here is another suggestion WhatsApp should consider adding a similar toggle for Channels and Status tabs as well.
Currently, this video messages toggle is widely rolling out as well.
Additionally, some users started complaining about suddenly losing the video messages feature since it’s off by default to them.
WhatsApp is getting a small redesign for the calls tab in the Android
As shown below this is a small redesign for the calls tab now the call links feature can be accessed by pressing the “+” button.
Additionally, users can start 31 people calls directly after this new redesign.
WhatsApp will call you to verify your phone number from now on
WhatsApp made the call verification method the default verification method for mobile numbers.
Previously the default method was Verify Through SMS and it’s still accessible by choosing the Verify Another Way button.
Improved group notifications for WhatsApp
WhatsApp slightly improved the notification for groups by letting you know whether it’s a reply or a mention to just a chat.
This will include the “Replied to you” label if someone directly replied to your messages and the “Mentioned you” label if someone mentioned you in a message. And, similar labels are stacked together as well
Communities in WhatsApp got a new icon
WhatsApp introduced a new icon for WhatsApp communities in the chat list to better distinguish communities from other chats.
What’s new in WhatsApp for Windows and Web
WhatsApp for Windows users can now control notification previews
Users can easily control the notification preview with the new Text and Media preview toggles for WhatsApp for Windows.
Currently, Text and Media toggles are available to all WhatsApp for Windows users.
Call back reminders in WhatsApp for Windows
WhatsApp started showing a small card within chat to remind users to call back for missed calls.
Users can also have the option to set a reminder according to their preference as well.
Currently, the call-back card for WhatsApp for Windows is available to all WhatsApp for Windows users.
Separate Channels tab in WhatsApp web
After launching the Channels feature to everyone WhatsApp added a separate Channels tab for WhatsApp Web.
Currently, this new Channels tab is available for all of you who activated the channels feature.
Bonus: WhatsApp bringing more features to WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp has also announced the following new features for WhatsApp business;
- Faster Chat Experiences with Flows.
- Choose your Payments Service (India only).
- Meta Verified Businesses on WhatsApp.
You can learn more from this WhatsApp blog.
Before saying bye let me tell you a secret: WhatsApp also working on a bunch of AI tools including an AI chat assistant and an AI sticker generation tool for WhatsApp.
These are the all changes and features in WhatsApp that I managed to spot within the past month. Since Channels are already available to everyone I recommend joining our WhatsApp Channel or Following us on X to keep yourself up to date with the latest tech news and updates.
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