WhatsApp: News & Discussions

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp multi-device support starts rolling out

WhatsApp is finally ready to roll out its highly anticipated multi-device feature for Android and iOS users. Till now, the feature has been available to users under WhatsApp’s opt-in beta testing program, but now, according to WABetainfo, the update will roll out to iOS users this month, followed by an Android release next month.

For those unaware, this feature will remove the online connection requirement on your smartphone for the chatting platform to be used on multiple devices. Previously, users had to have a stable internet connection on their smartphones to be able to use the messaging service on any other device like a desktop PC, or a laptop. In other words, it had to be linked to your smartphone to have the conversations synced.

The feature allows up to four linked devices and one phone at a time and will disconnect the linked devices if the phone stays inactive for 14 days. According to WhatsApp, viewing live location is not possible on paired devices. Creating and viewing broadcast lists or sending messages with link previews from WhatsApp Web cannot be performed on secondary devices. Also, iPhone users cannot delete or clear a chat on linked devices.

Relatedly, WhatsApp is also rolling out the Message reaction feature for some Android users on the beta channel of the app. The feature will work the same way as it does on most other platforms. Users will be able to long-press on a message to bring up the additional floating menu above the in question after which, they can choose from the various emoji-based reactions provided to react to the message. Currently, there are six reactions to choose from in the beta build which include thumbs up, love, laughter, surprise, tears, and gratitude.
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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp testing to send large files up to 2GB like Telegram

WhatsApp is reportedly testing a feature to send media files up to 2GB in size. Currently, WhatsApp users can only send files up to the size of 100MB.

According to a report of WABetaInfo, a limited test is underway with iOS users in Argentina. Select WhatsApp users will be able to share media files up to 2GB. Details about the upcoming WhatsApp feature were spotted in the iOS beta update 22.7.0.76 version. However, the shared screenshots reveal that WhatsApp is sending alerts to users, informing them about the raised limit for file sharing. As of now, It is not clear when will the update be widely available for all iOS and Android users.

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Testing 'View Once' Feature for Windows Users, New Pop-Up Menu for Phone Numbers in Chats

WhatsApp has started testing a new 'View Once' feature on Windows to let users have the ability to access photos and videos that are meant to be viewed once on the app. It was spotted on a beta release of WhatsApp's Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app that is currently meant for testing purposes. WhatsApp has also separately started testing a new pop-up menu for phone numbers you get in a message to let you choose between dialling the number or adding it to contacts by tapping on it in the chat.

As spotted by WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for Windows beta 2.2212.2.0 has been released for early testers with the ability to view photos and videos shared using the 'View Once' feature. The beta version, though, doesn't include the option to send media content that can be viewed once.

The 'View Once' feature was rolled out to Android and iPhone users last year. It allows users to make the photos and videos they share on WhatsApp disappear from the chat once they are viewed by the recipient. The photos and videos shared using the feature can, however, be saved by the recipient by simply taking their screenshots or screen recording on their devices.

Alongside the beta release for Windows beta testers, WhatsApp for Android beta 2.22.8.11 has been released with the pop-up menu that appears once you tap a phone number available in the chat. It gives you the option to dial the number directly using the default app or add it to your contacts list.

In case the phone number is already active on WhatsApp, the menu gives users the ability to chat directly with its user.

WABetaInfo reports that the new pop-up menu is rolling out to some beta testers. A screenshot showing the experience has also been shared by the site. Exact details on when the feature will be available to regular users are yet to be revealed, though.

Normally, WhatsApp takes users to the default dialler app once they tap a phone number in the chat.

WABetaInfo has separately reported that WhatsApp has fixed an issue that was resulting in the chat button to appear wrongly in the chats list. It is a part of WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.22.8.10.

The beta release also shows a green dot in WhatsApp Settings to inform testers about checking the reminder for its Terms of Service update in India. The update is a part of obligations that WhatsApp and other social media companies have due to the new IT rules in the country.
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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Spotted Increasing Restriction for Forwarded Messages, Testing Communities Tab for iOS Users

WhatsApp is found to be working on a new limit for sharing forwarded messages in group chats to restrict users from spreading fake news and misinformation. The new development has been spotted in beta testing on both Android and iOS and is apparently aimed to prevent users from sending forwarded messages to not more than one group chat at a time. Separately, WhatsApp has been spotted introducing a dedicated Communities tab that would replace the existing Camera tab on iOS. The messaging app is also seen testing an updated camera interface for Android users.

According to a report by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for iOS beta version 22.7.0.76 carries the limitation that prevents users from sending forwarded messages to not more than one group chat at a time. The app shows a notice that suggests the limitation, as seen in a screenshot shared by the publication.

In addition to iOS, WhatsApp is said to be testing the new forwarded message limitation on Android. It was first spotted on WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.22.7.2 last month. The restriction is also said to be in place for users on WhatsApp for Android beta 2.22.8.11.

Forwarded messages have often been considered as a primary source to spread fake news and misinformation. The new update is, therefore, likely to help put a limit at those ends.

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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp can now provide Payments Service to 100 Mn users in India

Meta-owned WhatsApp will soon expand its payments service to 100 million users. The messaging platform has received National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) nod for extending the UPI service to an additional 60 Mn users.

After this move, now 100 Mn WhatsApp will now be able to use UPI payments on the platform. WhatsApp has been seeking removal of a cap on the number of users it can roll out the service to from a long time.

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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Communities feature announced, 2GB file sharing size & emoji reaction also confirmed

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform, is set to launch a new’ Communities’ feature. According to the platform’s vision, this new feature is aimed to serve organizations like schools, local clubs, non-profit organizations, and more, which rely on WhatsApp for communication and work.

Additionally, WhatsApp will also launch several new features in the next few days, including message reactions, an admin delete option, larger file sharing support, and more members to voice call.

The Communities feature will make it easier for organizations to communicate over the messaging app. The feature will allow different groups of people to be included in one community. So this feature will be like an umbrella group/community inside which many specific groups will co-exist.

WhatsApp will also provide some powerful control tools for this specific feature. Admins will be able to control announcement messages that are sent to everyone and control which groups can be included. Messages in Communities will be private and secure, thanks to end-to-end encryption.

The messaging app will also get additional features like Message reactions, which will allow users to respond to messages using emojis (like Instagram and slack). Further, group admins will now be able to remove unwanted or problematic messages from everyone’s chat, regardless of who the sender was. WhatsApp will also increase the file sharing limit to 2GB (100MB currently), and the limit of collaboration on a voice call will be increased to 32 people from 8 people.

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[Nairrk]

New WhatsApp update will let you add up to 32 participants on a call

Reports have emerged that WhatsApp has started rolling out a new update to the iOS version which includes support for 32-person calls, an overhauled call user interface, waveforms, and other improvements. The update is coming to the live build of WhatsApp on iOS.

Till now, WhatsApp has allowed users to make group phone calls with multiple persons at the same time. A group voice conversation previously could accommodate up to eight people, but WhatsApp is now rolling out a new update that enables up to 32 participants.

Voice calls with up to 32 people would be possible in WhatsApp Groups. The platform has also modified the way participants are displayed on the screen to fit the additional members. Waveform images are used to label different WhatsApp users.

This new feature comes with the update version 22.8.80 and is sized at 109.7MB for iPhones. Android users are also expected to soon get a similar update with these new features, however, it will not be available on the desktop client.
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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Beta gets “Companion Device” support & “Quick Reactions” in new build

WhatsApp recently debuted a new feature dubbed “Multi-device support.” This feature lets users access the instant messaging platform on a linked PC without the smartphone being connected to the internet.

Now, the meta-owned platform is pushing a new Beta build which comes with a feature that will grant users the ability to use their WhatsApp account on a secondary smartphone.

The feature will work similarly to the current multi-device support feature. Users will have the option to link a secondary smartphone or tablet to their WhatsApp account on the primary device. A WABetainfo report mentions that the Beta update has version number 2.22.10.13 for Android, and has also shared a screenshot of the feature which has a section titled “Register Device as Companion.” According to the instructions in the screenshot, users will likely have to scan the QR code with the primary WhatsApp device to complete the linking of the messaging service to a secondary smartphone or tablet.

Other than that, WhatsApp is also working on a Quick Reactions feature that will let users react to a status update with an emoji. The feature is already available on other Meta-owned platforms Instagram and Messenger.

The Quick Reaction will bring eight reaction emojis including a smiling face with heart eyes, a face with tears of joy, a face with open mouth, a crying face, a person with folded hands, clapping hands, party popper, and hundred points emoji.
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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Message Reactions now rolling out for everyone

• WhatsApp Message Reactions feature is now rolling
• You can react to messages in your individual and group chats with emoji
• Users will get only six emoji reactions

For a long time, WhatsApp users have been waiting for WhatsApp Message Reactions. The Meta-owned company had been testing it with a small group of beta testers lately. Now the feature is now available to all users worldwide in both stable and beta builds.

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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp announces updates to its business offering for SMBs

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta announced a bunch of updates for WhatsApp Business at the company’s Conversations event

WhatsApp will now offer free and secure cloud hosting services provided by Meta. This will allow businesses and developers to get up and running on WhatsApp in a matter of minutes. Hence, enable them to build directly and customise their experience and increase the speed at which they can respond to their customers on WhatsApp.

Announcing this development, Zuckerberg said, "The best business experiences meet people where they are. Already more than 1 billion users connect with a business account across our messaging services every week. They're reaching out for help, to find products and services and to buy anything from big ticket items to everyday goods. And today, I am excited to announce that we're opening WhatsApp to any business of any size around the world with WhatsApp Cloud API."

"In just a few minutes, any business or developer can easily access our service, build directly on top of WhatsApp to customize their experience and speed up their response time to customers by using our secure WhatsApp Cloud API hosted by Meta. And this is an important step to help more businesses connect with people and help more people message the businesses that they want to support – big and small," he added.

WhatsApp will also support small businesses with additional tools. These advanced features for businesses will help SMBs to run their operations beyond just a few people and further amplify their brand online. For example, users will be able to manage chats across up to ten devices so they can better handle an influx of chats.
WhatsApp will also provide customizable click-to-chat links to help businesses attract customers across their online presence. These features will be additional and optional and would be provided to business account users for a fee.
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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp users can now add up to 512 people in chat groups

• WhatsApp Groups chats get ability to add 512 people
• The feature was announced by Meta early in May
• WhatsApp’s new feature is available only to the latest version of the app

The previous limit was a maximum of 256 people in any single group chat. This limit was low compared to other popular messaging apps in the market. For example, Telegram currently supports up to 200,000 members in a group. Now, WhatsApp has finally increased the limit to 512 members for a single group chat, which is still not close to Telegram limit.

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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Group Calls updated with ability to mute specific person, new privacy features also rollout

WhatsApp is adding a bunch of features to its app including the ability to mute specific participants while you are on a group call along with new privacy features where you can hide your last seen status, about and profile photo from specific contacts of your choice. The new feature comes days after a new interface for group voice calls was launched.

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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp beta gets hide online status, delete message window increased to 60 hours

WhatsApp has announced a bunch of new features for the beta build.

The first notable feature is one that expands on an already announced feature. Last month, the messaging platform began rolling out the option for users to hide their last seen profile picture, status, and last seen to specific contacts included in an “exclusion list.” Now, users will soon get the ability to hide their online status from the contacts added by adding them to an exclusion list in privacy settings. This feature is great for people who don’t want to be disturbed while conversing with someone or if someone is stalking them.

The delete messages feature is also getting a tweak. Previously, the feature allowed users to delete a message within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending it. Now, this time limit will be extended to 60 hours i.e. two days and twelve hours. That should give users more than enough time to delete a message they didn’t intend on sending. Group admins are getting another power-up as they will now be able to delete messages from any group participant.
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[Nairrk]

WhatsApp message reaction feature now allows use of all emojis

WhatsApp has expanded upon this feature making it so that the users can react with any emoji they want. With the most recent beta version for Android and iOS, WhatsApp users now have a new “+” option next to the six pre-set emojis, allowing you to choose any other emoji for the message reaction.

The emoji tray will contain a search box so users may browse for an emoji that is more appropriate. Additionally, WhatsApp will now allow users to change the emoji’s skin tone, which was previously unavailable. The stable version of WhatsApp is also receiving the upgrade gradually, and all users will have access to this feature in the coming days.
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[Nairrk]

You can now move your WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone

WhatsApp announced late Wednesday night that users can now transfer their entire chat history from Android to iOS. “Now you have the freedom to switch to and from your preferred devices,” it said in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1549801508925054976

Transferred data does not go to cloud storage as a result of migration until the user creates an iCloud backup, it added. The Android phone will still have the data unless the user deletes it or wipes their phone.

How to transfer entire chat history from Android to iPhone:

• Open the Move to iOS app on the Android phone
• When a code is displayed on the iPhone, enter that on your Android phone
• Tap Continue and follow the on-screen prompts
• On the Transfer Data screen, select WhatsApp
• Tap START on the Android phone
• WhatsApp will prepare data for export and you will be eventually signed out from the Android phone
• Tap NEXT to return to Move to iOS app
• Tap CONTINUE to transfer the data; wait for confirmation of completion of transfer
• Install the latest version of WhatsApp from App Store
• Use same phone number as in the old device to log into WhatsApp
• Tap Start when prompted, follow the instructions to complete
• Finish activating new device

The messaging platform, however, added that for the seamless transfer of the chat history, the user will require Android OS Lollipop, SDK 21 or above, or Android 5 or above installed on the Android device, iOS 15.5 or above installed on the iPhone, Move to iOS app installed on the Android phone, WhatsApp iOS version 2.22.10.70 or above on the new device, WhatsApp Android version 2.22.7.74 or above on the old device, and the same phone number in both old and new devices. The iPhone must be factory new or reset to factory settings. Both the devices must be plugged to a power source and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

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