WhatsApp Testing Video Messages Feature on Latest iOS and Android Beta Versions

 WhatsApp has commenced testing a novel video messaging functionality on the most recent beta versions of its renowned chat app for iOS and Android. This feature, akin to voice messages, facilitates the swift recording and transmission of videos to other users, which can be viewed within the chat. Notably, these video messages persist in the conversation even after recipients have seen them. Sending WhatsApp video messages entails capturing brief video clips via your smartphone.

The feature was identified by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo on version 23.12.0.71 of WhatsApp beta for iOS and version 2.23.13.4 of WhatsApp beta for Android. It appears as an option on the chat bar situated at the bottom of the screen, alongside the buttons for attachments, the camera, and the WhatsApp Pay icon (in applicable regions). Functionally, it replaces the microphone button located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

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As detailed by the feature tracker, you can tap the microphone icon in a WhatsApp chat window to replace it with a camera icon. This allows you to record video messages of up to 60 seconds in duration. When receiving a video message, tapping it enlarges the video for playback with muted audio by default, according to WABetaInfo.

While Gadgets 360 was unable to test the new feature on the latest version of WhatsApp for Android, the feature tracker suggests that it is anticipated to gradually roll out to more users in the forthcoming weeks.

Similar to text messages, attachments, voice calls, and video calls on WhatsApp, the new video messages feature benefits from end-to-end encryption. These messages cannot be forwarded to other chats, and only videos captured using your phone's camera can be sent as video messages. However, it is important to note that recipients can record their screens to share a video message with another chat or group.

Additionally, WhatsApp recently introduced a Channels feature, which serves as a one-to-many broadcast system. This feature enables users and organizations to subscribe to channels on the messaging platform to receive updates. These updates can cover a wide range of information, including discounts, sports scores, and weather updates, ensuring effective communication with followers.