WhatsApp has been spotted developing new apps for Windows and macOS users. The new apps feature user interface (UI) improvements over existing WhatsApp desktop versions. WhatsApp has started separately rolling out the ability to pause and resume voice message recordings to some iOS beta testers. People using a recent version of WhatsApp for iPhone have started to see the ‘My contacts except…’ privacy setting for the Last Seen, Profile Picture, and About updates. Last week, beta testers on Android were also able to get the setup on their phones.
Italian blog Aggiornamenti Lumia spotted the new WhatsApp app for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, as reported by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo. It’s a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) based app that looks like it was developed from scratch – totally different in appearance from the existing WhatsApp for Windows.
As part of the changes from the previous version, the UWP version of WhatsApp would have acrylic effects that debuted in Windows 11. It also includes a new drawing feature to allow users to write or doodle on a white panel in the app that can be shared with WhatsApp contacts.
The WhatsApp UWP app also delivers notifications even when it’s closed and not active on the desktop. Also, the app is said to take a second to launch – faster than the existing app.
While Microsoft is currently testing the new app, you can check out the new experience by downloading the latest beta version of WhatsApp from the Microsoft Store.
In addition to the new app for Windows users, WhatsApp is working on a new app for macOS devices. WABetaInfo reports that the app is based on Apple’s Catalyst project, which aims to allow developers to use a single code to build macOS and iPadOS apps.
The new version of WhatsApp for macOS is said to look identical to the iPadOS release, which has been discovered in the recent past but is not officially available yet. WABetaInfo also says that you’ll get some UI improvements through the new app.
Along with the new desktop apps, WhatsApp has started rolling out the voice recording pause feature to select beta testers on iOS, reports WABetaInfo. It is said to be available through WhatsApp for iOS beta version 2.21.230.16 and allows users to pause their voice message recordings and resume them again using a pause button.
WhatsApp for iOS Spotted With New Voice Recording Pause Feature
Photo credit: WABetaInfo
Not all beta testers received the pause recording feature. However, WABetaInfo says that beta testers who are already seeing voice waveforms while recording voice will likely have a better chance of getting the update than others. The feature appeared on the web last month for Android and iOS users.
WhatsApp for iOS beta 2.21.230.15 also brings the ‘Excerpt from my contacts…’ privacy setting that you can use for Last Seen, Profile Picture, and About updates. WABetaInfo shared a screenshot to hint at how the new setting would be available to beta testers. WhatsApp has been seen working on the privacy setting in recent weeks. It also started rolling out in a recent WhatsApp for Android beta last week.
In addition to new beta updates for iOS, WhatsApp has started rolling out a group icon option for some beta testers on Android. WABetaInfo reports that the feature is part of WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.21.23.15 and is intended to let you add a custom background, emoji or a sticker to your group icon. It has been discovered to have been in development since at least September, though WhatsApp has yet to provide official details regarding its launch.
WhatsApp for Android is testing a new group icon feature
Photo credit: WABetaInfo
Additionally, some WhatsApp Business beta testers for Android and iOS have been given the ability to create ads for Facebook, reports WABetaInfo. These ads are said to lead to WhatsApp to help businesses increase engagement on their business accounts.
WhatsApp Business beta for Android version 2.21.23.15 and beta for iOS 2.21.230.15 have a new Facebook Ad available resource that is accessible by going through settings > business tools. A screenshot was shared by WABetaInfo to give some reference on the update.
WhatsApp for iOS beta spotted with Facebook advertise feature
Photo credit: WABetaInfo
Meta-owned WhatsApp has yet to reveal when exactly the features spotted in its beta releases will be available to the public.