All new changes and features spotted in WhatsApp during April and May

Let’s start with a note why I missed the April addition and now writing both April – May digest together. The reason was I am engaged with my academics yet I published everything real-time in my Twitter and WhatsApp community but, I could find the time and motivation to curate the blog. With that said let’s hope in…

This article cover the following updates about WhatsApp…

New Add to contacts card in WhatsApp

WhatsApp testing a new native Add to contacts card. Previously WhatsApp used the default contact app layout whenever saving someone’s number

You can use same WhatsApp account in four different devices

WhatsApp is widely testing Companion mode. This feature will let you use the same WhatsApp account in four different mobile devices and your chat history will be synced across all your linked devices.

WhatsApp officially announced that multi-device support is coming for everyone soon.

Three new security features are coming to WhatsApp

WhatsApp announced 3 new security features to be rolled out to everyone in coming weeks:

1. Device Verification – Double check and ask you to confirm from old devices when switching devices.
2. Account Protect – Protect compromised devices.
3. Automatic Security Code.

You can change description while forwarding a WhatsApp attachment

WhatsApp now let users add or change or remove the descriptions of a image, video, Gif or document while forwarding. Previously users have to share or reattach a file to do the same.

WhatsApp announced the ability to add descriptions while forwarding an attachment to everyone.

Quick privacy checkup for WhatsApp

WhatsApp is testing a new Privacy checkup to help users to control their privacy and choose the right settings.

Chat lock for WhatsApp chats

Users can now protect their private chats with a finger print lock. This feature will let lock a specific chat under bio metric lock.

When enabled the user should unlock the chat every time they’re trying to open it.

WhatsApp officially announced Chat Lock feature to every one and it’s currently available to everyone.

You can transfer chat to a new phone without Google drive backup

WhatsApp is testing the ability to Transfer chats without Google Drive back up.

This will come handy when you are switching your WhatsApp to a new device. Users no longer need a G Drive backup or 3rd party apps to transfer their chat to a new device.

Currently, this feature is in the testing phase and soon will be available to everyone.

WhatsApp will automatically silence unknown callers

WhatsApp testing a new privacy called Silence unknown callers. Calls from unknown number will be automatically silenced with this feature. Yet the notification and call history will be still visible

WhatsApp is widely rolling out silence unknown callers feature to more users.

Edit messages in WhatsApp

Users can finally, edit messages within 15 minutes and edit messages feature was initially spotted on WhatsApp web.

Edited message will have a simple “Edited” label to show that the original message has been edited.

WhatsApp announced edit messages feature and it is now available to everyone.

WhatsApp is getting some new font and text editor

WhatsApp is testing a new text editor that is quite similar to the Instagram text editor with new fonts and ability to add text background and align text.

Bottom navigation for WhatsApp android

WhatsApp is testing a new user interface (UI) with bottom navigation and whole new icons. This UI is similar to iOS.

This UI has a limitation that it won’t support the swipe gesture within the application which means users cannot quickly switch from one tab to another by swiping. Additionally, WhatsApp support confirmed that this behavior is intentional.

WhatsApp keep on improving the bottom navigation by rearranging the tabs based on the user feedback as shown below.

WhatsApp becoming Facebook

WhatsApp added support to share status updates as Facebook stories without even leaving the application with a new status sharing option.

Previously, users can do the same from the status menu but, this integration is seamless.

Minor Tweaks in WhatsApp

Two line about status.

WhatsApp started to show two lines of text when displaying group descriptions, about status and community description while forwarding or selecting contacts.

Users can search settings in WhatsApp

WhatsApp is testing the ability to search settings from the settings tab.

Reply WhatsApp calls with text

WhatsApp for Android is getting the ability to reply to a call quickly with a text from the notification itself.

New Help center shortcut in WhatsApp

WhatsApp is testing a new “Help Center” shortcut in search which will open the help center in WebView.

Drop down for WhatsApp communities

WhatsApp testing a drop-down list for communities in Chats page. This drop down will quickly give a peak on all groups from the same community when you press.

Gifs started to come alive in WhatsApp

WhatsApp android started to auto-play Gifs in chats usually they will play in 3 loops and stops and users can replay it by scrolling back or tap on the play button.

Admins can mention groups in community

Admins can now mention groups inside a community from the announcement channel. Users will see groups that are part of the community when they try to use “@”.

WhatsApp also testing a new group Manage community card with description when a group has been added to a community.

Changes spotted in WhatsApp for Windows & WhatsApp Web

Playing recordings outside a chat in WhatsApp for Windows

WhatsApp for Windows (UWP) will now let you play audio outside a chat with a simple audio player.

Chat wallpapers coming to WhatsApp for Windows

WhatsApp desktop application is going to let users change their chat wallpapers with a new personalization option.

Kept messages for WhatsApp desktop with new context menu

WhatsApp for Windows got a redesigned context menu with Keep messages support and a new context menu also includes a redesigned reaction bar and can be triggered with the reaction button as well as a right click.

WhatsApp announced the Keep messages feature to everyone.

New attachment card and emoji card for WhatsApp web

WhatsApp testing a redesigned attachment card & emoji card in WhatsApp web. This redesign is looking good with rounded corners and new icons.

Silenced calls started to show in WhatsApp desktop

WhatsApp for Windows (UWP) is testing a call history prompt that indicates missed calls with a “Silenced” label. This new label shows up when a call is missed when the phone is in silence mode or Do not disturb (DND).

Draft messages and App languages settings are coming for WhatsApp for Windows

WhatsApp for Windows (UWP) is getting the following new features,

• Draft messages.
• Drafts filter and drafts tab.
• App Language setting.

The draft feature will let users save messages without sending which will come handy to proof read and send messages later.

The App language feature will let users select different app langue for WhatsApp instead of following the system language which will increase the accessibility for more users.

New WhatsApp link bug causing issues for users.

A quick warning about circulating prank link (http://wa.me settings) This URL can crash your WhatsApp if you follow this on Android.

How to fix the WhatsApp crashing issue:

1. Open WhatsApp web.
2. Open chat with the URL.
3. Delete the text containing the link text.

You’re good to go and the bug should be long gone after applying this fix.

Okay, than let’s wrap this article and see you all in the next one. At the meanwhile you can keep yourself posted by adding me in your Twitter @SaadhJawwadh.