Upcoming New Features to Look Forward to on WhatsApp

Certainly, the impact of the coronavirus crisis and calls to stay at home had a significant effect on the increased usage of chat applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as video calling apps like “Google Duo” for managing business and facilitating communication among users. This resulted in increased competition between these apps, leading to the emergence of new apps and services for the same purpose in order to capture a larger share of the market.

As a result of this competition, developers of these apps had to continuously add new features and always introduce something new to stay ahead in the competitive race. One of these apps is the popular WhatsApp application, which recently departed from its traditional features by adding new features such as the ability to make group video calls and many other features. However, it seems that there are more features coming to the app, so we have prepared this article to highlight the most prominent new features and all the information available about them so far.

Despite the customization options for chat backgrounds, the ability to set a different background for each chat was lacking for more personalization. Currently, the “Advanced Wallpaper” feature is being tested as one of the new features in WhatsApp through the beta version of the app, but only on iOS. By simply subscribing to the WhatsApp beta program and updating to version “2.20.120.19,” you can access this feature by entering the chat, then selecting “Contact or Group Info,” and then “Wallpaper & Sound.” You can choose from a wide range of ready-made backgrounds categorized as light, dark, or specific colors. You can also choose a picture from your phone’s library and adjust the transparency level of the selected image. By repeating this process for each chat, you will have a different background for each conversation.

Another new feature that has already arrived in the beta version for iOS users is the ability to link your WhatsApp account to your computer more easily. By updating to beta version “2.20.120.17,” users can now connect WhatsApp to their computer by going to Settings, then WhatsApp Web/Desktop, and clicking “Link a Device.” This update also allows you to view any active connections to other devices and shows the operating system and browser used. While the feature is still under development and not fully functional, the new interface will be available with the mentioned version update.

Another feature currently being tested in the beta versions of the app on Android is the new storage settings interface. By updating to beta version “2.20.120.17,” users will see a revamped storage settings menu with the addition of a quick activation option to save data for calls. The “Manage Storage” option also provides a visual representation of storage consumption within the app itself and files like images and videos. Users can identify and delete large attachments to free up storage space. Additionally, the chat list and the space consumed by each chat are displayed without any changes from previous versions.

Another great new feature is the ability to rejoin missed video or voice calls on WhatsApp. If you receive a call and are unable to answer, you can now rejoin the call automatically by opening the app as long as the call is still active on the other end. This feature, named “Join Missed Calls,” is currently being tested in beta version “2.20.203.3.”

In response to a similar feature in Telegram, WhatsApp is testing a new feature called “Expiring Media.” This feature allows users to send files like photos or videos with a “View Once” option. Once the recipient views the file, it will be deleted from their device without any possibility of retrieval.

WhatsApp’s security measures have included options like two-step verification, setting a PIN, and recently using fingerprint sensors to unlock the app. However, in the near future, the app will offer the ability to unlock it using face recognition on supported Android devices. This feature has been observed in the code of the latest beta versions of the app, indicating that it is already being worked on. This new feature will be available to Android users, as iPhones already support facial recognition.

Currently, using WhatsApp Web is limited to viewing messages and file sharing between devices due to the lack of all WhatsApp features within WhatsApp Web. However, it is expected that soon users will be able to make and control calls through WhatsApp Web and receive calls while using the interface without needing to use the phone app. Additionally, initial support for group video calls through WhatsApp Web for up to 8 people will be introduced, with the possibility of increasing the number gradually as with the mobile app.

If you encounter any issues with your WhatsApp account, you can currently reach out to the app’s support team by sending an email to the support address. However, soon you will be able to report issues to the support team from within the app via chat for a more immediate response.

E-commerce has become increasingly popular, so WhatsApp will introduce the ability to shop and purchase products directly through chat with companies or stores within the app without using external stores. For example, businesses or stores will create a WhatsApp Business account and add their products to a catalog. During conversations, they can send these products for customers to view. If a customer wishes to purchase, they can do so through the app by adding the product to the cart and completing the transaction using traditional payment methods or potentially using WhatsApp’s “Pay” service for payment. Although the service was tested in limited regions in Europe and America, there is no confirmed information on the official launch date.