New WhatsApp Beta introduces Multi-device 2.0 with support for iPad and Android tabs
WhatsApp is preparing to add multi-device support for iPads and Android tablets, expanding its multi-device support beta which began rolling out to selected users last month. The multi-device support means it is possible to use WhatsApp on multiple devices at the same time.
Users can have the same WhatsApp account and operate it on up to four non-mobile devices. This means you cannot use the same WhatsApp account on more than one phone, but you will be able to use the same WhatsApp account on Web Web, Desktop, and Portal at the same time. The company is now preparing to add support for iPad and Android tablets.
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This upcoming feature was identified by WABetaInfo. Previously, the only way to access WhatsApp on your PC was to have your phone connected to the internet all the time, after being connected by scanning a QR code. This means that if you turn off mobile data or run out of battery, you will lose access to WhatsApp on the PC.
NEWS: WhatsApp is finally working on multi-device 2.0, and you can use iPad as new linked device ☄️
Android tablets are also planned to support multi-device on WhatsApp for Android!It's under development and it will be released in a future update. Follow me to discover more 💚 pic.twitter.com/rND4xQfBDj
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) August 20, 2021
Multi-device functionality that your compatible device will connect to your WhatsApp account independently. The company claims to have developed a new system to ensure end-to-end encryption while syncing conversations, contact names, chat archives, starred messages, and all other information across devices.
Companion devices connected by scanning QR codes, and on compatible devices, WhatsApp will also enforce biometric authentication as an additional layer of security. Users can see all of their compatible devices paired with an app, and they can also see when they last used it. They can go a long way, too. For more details, check out WhatsApp’s FAQ page for the feature of multiple devices.
Given that Android tablets are not too far away from Android smartphones, it is possible that the company may be slow to launch multi-device support for most phones. There is currently no way to access multiple smartphones simultaneously via WhatsApp, or it may be on its way in the future.
WhatsApp has pushed a new beta update for Android users, which brings a camera shortcut directly to the gallery sheet to make it easier to access the camera while sending photos or videos. The fresh beta update arrives with version 2.24.24.23, available through the Google Play Beta Program.
Previously, WhatsApp improved the way users send photo and video albums. With that, users can select multiple photos and videos at once, and add captions to entire albums to make it simpler to share media with context.
The new update is adding even more improvements. The camera shortcut, which used to be in the chat bar, is now available directly inside the gallery sheet. It saves time and makes it easier to capture something new without navigating through multiple steps.
Now, when you’re selecting photos or videos to send, you can quickly switch to the camera without leaving the gallery. This new change might feel like an extra step for some users who were used to accessing the camera with a single tap from the chat bar. However, the update aims to combine both the camera and gallery functions into one place.
Notably, not all users will see this new camera shortcut. If you still have the camera shortcut in the chat bar, you won’t see the one in the gallery sheet. This is to avoid clutter and make the app more organized.
This feature is currently available to a limited number of beta testers, and it will be rolled out to more users in the coming days or weeks.
WhatsApp is bringing a fun new feature to its app just in time for New Year celebrations. The latest update for WhatsApp beta users arrives with version 2.24.24.17, which introduces animated confetti reactions for certain emojis.
At the moment, the animated confetti emoji reactions are available to some WhatsApp beta testers on Android. It will likely be rolled out to everyone in the coming week with the stable update, obviously, ahead of the new year.
The fresh beta update adds a playful twist to your reactions. When you use the Party Popper, Partying Face, or Confetti Ball emojis to react to a message, colorful confetti will burst out of the emoji to create a lively and celebratory animation.
The confetti animation is powered by Lottie, a framework that helps create smooth and high-quality animations. This ensures the effects don’t slow down the app or use too much memory to make it run smoothly without affecting performance.
The new feature is perfect for marking moments of joy or sharing the excitement of the holiday season. If you’re a beta tester, you can try it out by reacting to a message with one of the festive emojis and watching the confetti burst to life.
WhatsApp introduces camera and gallery shortcuts in chat bar
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update for beta testers with version 2.24.24.16, which brings new shortcuts to the chat interface. This update introduces a gallery shortcut to make it easier to share photos and videos from your phone directly within chats.
WhatsApp recently replaced the camera shortcut in the chat bar with a gallery button for beta users. While this change allowed users to quickly share stored photos and videos, many users missed the camera shortcut, which gave them fast access to the camera for capturing moments on the spot.
Based on feedback, WhatsApp has decided to bring back both shortcuts in the chat bar. Now, users will see two buttons in the chat interface – one for quickly taking a photo or video using the camera and another for browsing and sharing photos or videos from their gallery.
These two shortcuts for the chat interface of WhatsApp make it quicker to share photos or capture new ones, without having to navigate through extra menus.
This feature is still in beta, so it’s available to only some testers right now. The feature will gradually be rolled out to more users in the coming weeks
WhatsApp is collecting feedback to see if the new dual shortcut setup improves the experience or if it feels cluttered. If you are testing beta on WhatsApp, install the latest version now.