Meta-owned WhatsApp is enhancing the user experience with several new features. According to WABetaInfo, these updates include locked chats on linked devices, longer status updates, new channel exploration, autoplay controls for animated images, and hidden community group chats.
One exciting new feature is “locked chats on linked devices,” which allows users to protect their conversations on linked devices by creating a secret code to open the locked chats folder. This feature is available to some beta testers.
Another feature in development is “status updates of up to 1 minute.” This will enable users to share videos up to 1 minute long in their status updates, up from the previous limit of 30 seconds. Currently in beta testing, this feature will be rolled out to more users in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp is also introducing a new shortcut to “explore new channels,” making it easier for users to discover new content. By improving visibility for channel exploration, WhatsApp aims to boost user engagement. This feature is available to some beta testers.
Additionally, WhatsApp is working on a feature to manage the “autoplay of animated images” within the app settings. This will allow users to disable animations for emojis, stickers, and avatars, giving them more control over their chat experience. This feature is still under development and will be available in a future update.
Lastly, WhatsApp is developing a feature to allow users to mark “community group chats as hidden.” This feature will also be included in a future update of the app.
With these new features, WhatsApp aims to provide a more secure and engaging user experience. Keep an eye out for these updates in the coming weeks and months.
