WhatsApp Testing New Username Feature with Added Security
WhatsApp reportedly working on a new feature that allows users to create usernames. While this is yet to be available to the public, WhatsApp has added an interesting twist in the recent beta version.
A new feature on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.2 will permit users to have the capability of setting a username PIN. This PIN protects one from messages of people whom users never contacted before.
This feature may prove to be very useful in preventing spamming, which is a very common feature over WhatsApp. If someone wants to send a message to a user with whom they have not had any previous interactions, he will have to know both the username and the PIN. The PIN has to be at least four digits long.
Nothing will change for users who have already been in contact. Even after the username feature is available to everyone, conversations will go on uninterrupted.
Unfortunately, it’s still unclear when the username feature and the PIN support will pop up for all users. Based on the usual WhatsApp development timeline, these features are unlikely to be released before the end of this year.
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WhatsApp is testing a new shortcut that makes sharing Instagram Reels directly in chats easier. The feature adds a dedicated Reels button to the chat attachment menu, allowing users to quickly find and share Instagram content without navigating through multiple menus.
The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.9 and is currently rolling out to some beta testers.
WhatsApp Adds a Dedicated Reels Button
Previously, users who linked their WhatsApp account to Meta’s Accounts Center could access Instagram Reels through the media picker. However, finding the option required opening the picker and selecting Instagram from the source list.
With the new shortcut, users can tap the Reels button directly from the chat attachment menu to open a dedicated interface for browsing and sharing content.
Recent, Saved and Liked Reels
The new interface includes three tabs:
- Recent: Reels recently watched on Instagram.
- Saved: Reels saved by the user.
- Liked: Reels liked by the user.
Users can browse these sections and select content to share in WhatsApp chats. The interface also reportedly provides access to posts.
Availability
The shortcut requires users to link their WhatsApp account to Meta’s Accounts Center. This integration remains optional, so users who prefer to keep their accounts separate can continue using WhatsApp without connecting them.
The feature is rolling out gradually to Android beta testers through the Google Play Store. WhatsApp has not yet announced when the dedicated Reels shortcut will become available to all users.
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WhatsApp has started testing a new green dot feature on iOS that makes it easier to see when a contact is online.
The feature was first spotted on Android last month and is now being tested with some iPhone users. It is currently available in WhatsApp beta version 26.26.10.72 for iOS.
When a contact is online, a small green circle appears at the bottom-right corner of their profile photo on the Contact Info screen. The indicator works in real time and disappears as soon as the person goes offline.
For now, the green dot is only visible on the Contact Info screen, which can be opened by tapping a contact’s profile photo. The feature is not currently available in the main chat list or Chats tab.
WhatsApp is also applying its existing privacy settings to the new online indicator. This means that if a user has chosen to hide their last seen and online status, the green dot will not be visible to others.
The green dot online indicator is currently available to only some beta users on Android and iOS. There is no information yet on when WhatsApp will roll out the feature to all users.
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WhatsApp is working on a new privacy feature that will allow users to send text messages that can only be viewed once. The feature is currently being tested on iOS and could be released to users in a future update.
The new option is called “View Once” text messages. As the name suggests, the recipient will be able to read the message only one time. Once the message has been opened and viewed, it will automatically disappear from the chat.
To use the feature, users will reportedly need to long-press the Send button and select the “Send as View Once” option before sending the message.
WhatsApp already offers View Once support for photos, videos, and voice messages. With the addition of text messages, the company aims to extend this privacy-focused feature to more types of content.
According to reports, View Once text messages will work in both individual chats and group chats. However, the feature will not be available in WhatsApp Channels.
At the moment, the feature is not available in the public beta version of WhatsApp. It is currently being tested internally by WhatsApp developers, which means it may take some time before users can try it.
It is also worth noting that this feature is different from another WhatsApp feature spotted earlier this year. That feature allows messages to disappear after a specific time period, while View Once messages disappear immediately after being viewed for the first time.
WhatsApp has not officially announced a release date for the feature, but its appearance in testing suggests that it could arrive in a future update.
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