We have been covering the latest WhatsApp features for a couple of months now. So let’s see what our favorite app had in store for us this past month. We are going to take a look at new features and improvements that were added to WhatsApp in the month of July or coming soon to the app in this list. With that said, it is time to check everything new with WhatsApp.
Some features are still in development and might take a while before they arrive. We have divided the list into two categories and labeled them “upcoming features”.
New WhatsApp Features Added in July 2024 (Stable)
1. Forward Messages and Media to Channels (iOS)
If you are a channel owner on WhatsApp, then you know that you can only share media files stored on your device with your channel. The app is now releasing a new update for everyone, that will let you forward, images, videos, and GIFs from other channels to yours. This will save you from the hassle of saving the file first on your phone and then uploading it on your channel.
2. New Bottom Calling Interface (iOS)
Previously we discussed that a redesigned calling interface is coming to the app and now it is rolling out widely to all iOS users of the app. When you place a call, you will see a more compact and modern calling bar at the bottom. This has bigger buttons and takes up less room. If you still see the old interface then try checking for an update.
3. Favorites Tab for Chats and Calls (Android and iOS)
We have talked about the Favorites chat filter on WhatsApp where you can add the people and groups that you often talk to on the app. This makes it easy to navigate and manage chats of your friends, family, and loved ones. It’s now rolling out widely to everyone on Android as well as iOS.
Along with it, you can also set your favorite contacts in the call section. This will let you quickly call the people close to you instead of scrolling through the call logs to find them. Both features should be available to you quite soon if you haven’t received them already.
4. Create Events in Group Chats (iOS)
The events feature was previously limited to communities only but now the feature has made its way to group chats. Yes, if you are using WhatsApp for iOS then you will now see an Events option within attachments in group chats. This will let you set and create events for your group members so you can plan out that trip you all have been dreaming about.
Upcoming WhatsApp Features Added in July 2024 (Beta)
5. Create You AI-Generated Image (Android)
There is a new Meta AI feature under development that will let you create AI-generated images of yourself. You’ll need to take a few setup photos and then ask the AI to imagine yourself in different situations. The AI will process your prompt and recreate your image in that scenario.
You can even bring it up in other chats by typing the “@Meta AI imagine me” command. It is similar to Snapchat’s AI filter where you can type a prompt to image yourself in different situations or outfits and the AI morphs your image to look like that. As it is still in the works, we might not get to see it anytime soon.
6. Dedicated Video Note Mode for Camera (Android and iOS)
Video notes are one of the most underrated features that I don’t see many people using. It could be because not many are aware that you need to long-press the camera icon to create one. That could be why, WhatsApp is now adding a dedicated video notes section in the viewfinder in addition to photos and videos.
This way, you can switch to Video notes to record one. We haven’t received this feature yet but it should be available in upcoming updates.
7. Blue Verification Checkmark (Android)
This one is just a visual change but currently, verified businesses will have a green checkmark next to them when you chat with them or look at their profile. This helps us know that it is a legit business and it is okay to purchase from them.
But this will be changed to a blue checkmark like you see on Facebook and Instagram. This is done to maintain consistency across all Meta apps and services.
8. Share Photos and Voice Notes with Meta AI (Android)
As of now, you can only text your queries and prompts with Meta AI. But soon, you’ll have the option to share photos with it and ask questions about it. The AI will scan the image and give you relevant answers to your questions. You can even use it to edit or make changes to the photo.
In a similar manner, a voice note button is also spotted in a recent beta update for WhatsApp. This opens another way of communicating with the chatbot. In the future, this will allow you to record a voice note of command and share it with Meta AI, and it will reply with the appropriate answer.
9. Zoom Level Indicator for Camera (Android)
WhatsApp’s camera viewfinder doesn’t have a dedicated zoom button to begin with. You have to manually pinch in and out to zoom into whatever image you want to take without any clue how much you have zoomed in.
To help with that, WhatsApp has added a zoom indicator that helps you know the current zoom level which will appear at the right side of the shutter button. You can tap on it to zoom out and reset the viewfinder. This will make it quite easy to spot whether you have zoomed too much into an image or not.
10. Live Translate for Messages (Android)
Another major feature coming to WhatsApp is live translation for messages. This will use Google’s live translation services and all the processing will be done on the device so your data isn’t compromised. It will let you communicate with other people who do not speak a language you are familiar with.
Initially, it will be available for Hindi and English but support for more languages will be added later on. You’ll have to download the language pack to start chatting.
11. AI Studio Custom Chatbots (Android and iOS)
Meta AI on WhatsApp is pretty bland, which is why the company is experimenting with an AI studio feature. It will let you pick and choose between different chatbots with their own set of unique personalities. At launch, you will find a bunch of pre-created chatbots from Meta but users will soon be able to create their own as well.
If this sounds similar, then it is. Snapchat has an option to give personality traits to Snapchat’s My AI. Even ChatGPT itself added this option earlier this year. However, you don’t have to be stuck with one chatbot, you can have a conversation with multiple ones like your own little AI friend circle.
12. New Security Checkup Feature (Android)
There’s a new security checkup page that is coming to WhatsApp. It will help you tighten the security of your account by suggesting you create a passkey. A passkey lets you log in to the app using your biometrics or from another device.
It also shows the option to add an email so you can receive OTP to log in to your account via mail in case you don’t have access to your phone. Lastly, it suggests you set up two-factor authentication for enhanced security of your WhatsApp account.
13. Animated Emojis (Android)
This is a fun one. Sometimes, just a few emojis are enough to convey your emotions and WhatsApp is trying to improve that experience. When you share just an emoji, you should see an animated sticker that uses the Lottie framework. The feature is currently in the beta testing phase but should be available for stable users by probably next month.
14. Share Files with People Nearby (iOS)
Yes, the messaging app is also working on a wireless file-sharing system similar to Quick Share or AirDrop. As we saw in a previous build for Android, users can detect others when they want to share files. Now that this feature has come to iOS, we are seeing that Apple users might have to scan a QR code to transfer their files.
It’s not concrete how exactly this will work as of now, but it will facilitate cross-platform high-quality file sharing, That is for sure. Hopefully, we get to see it in action soon enough.
15. Choose Usernames on WhatsApp
By this point, you may be aware that usernames are making their way on WhatsApp. In the latest beta this past month, we got to see a new interface where users can pick a username that hasn’t been taken already by someone. Each one of you will have to create a unique username to help you identify easily on the app.
16. Gradient Backgrounds for Status Updates (Android)
A lot of photos and videos don’t fill up the entire screen when you post them as status updates. This leaves two black bars at the top and bottom. To remedy this, WhatsApp will be introducing a gradient background to match the content that you share so it doesn’t look out of place even if it doesn’t fit the entire screen. This will be especially great when sharing vertically shot images.
17. AR Effects and Filters for Video Calls (Android)
Some Beta users of the app are getting the ability to use custom backgrounds, filters, and AR effects that can be enabled during a video call. This works similarly to Google Meet where you can blur or change your background settings while on a call. This is one of the new July features that’s still under development but looks close to completion so, it might get rolled out to WhatsApp soon in the coming months.
18. Double Tap to React (Android)
We recently covered that Google Messages will be bringing a double tap to react feature to their app. This will make it easy and quick for people to react with a heart emoji to other’s messages. WhatsApp will be implementing a similar feature in a future update allowing you to quickly let others know that you like their text.
This time around, we didn’t get a lot of new WhatsApp features in the stable list in July. But there is a lot to look forward as evident with the long list of upcoming July features introduced in the Beta version of WhatsApp. I can’t wait to get my hands on AR filters for calls, and AI studio to interact with different kinds of chatbots. What is the one feature you are looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below.
