WhatsApp Latest News and Updates – August 24, 2023

In this exclusive article, we share latest news and updates about the popular WhatsApp Messenger app. WhatsApp first tests a new feature or change in Beta version of the app and then makes the new feature available to general public in stable version of the app. We are using WhatsApp Beta version in our devices to immediately test the new feature and post about it here for our readers.

Whenever a new feature will be introduced in WhatsApp or an important change will be made in the app, we’ll update this article to let our readers know. You should check this article regularly to learn about new features, changes and improvements introduced in newer versions of WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular and most used free messing and calling apps for smartphones. WhatsApp is basically a social networking or chat app from Meta which allows people to communicate with others using text messages or calls. Users can send simple chat messages, attach photos/videos/audio/documents or make voice/video calls to friends, family or colleagues. Users can also create or join groups to start discussion with other people.

WhatsApp is available for both Google Android mobile phones as well as Apple iPhone (iOS). Most of the times, WhatsApp comes preinstalled or bundled with new smartphones. People can also download and install the app manually using Google Play Store or Apple App Store in their smartphones.

Following are the download links of WhatsApp for your convenience:

Download WhatsApp on Android Smartphone

Download WhatsApp on Apple iPhone (iOS)

A special version of WhatsApp is also available for Windows desktop. If you want to use WhatsApp on your PC or laptop, you can download and install WhatsApp Desktop version and use it just like any other software program on your PC. You can type using computer keyboard and upload/send files stored on your PC using WhatsApp.

Download WhatsApp Desktop App for Windows PC

Let’s find out what’s new in the latest version of WhatsApp:

WhatsApp Gets Redesigned 3-Dots Menu and Account Settings Page UI

The latest WhatsApp beta version replaces the old 3-dots menu present at the top-right corner with user’s display picture (also known as avatar or DP). When you tap on the avatar icon, it opens a revamped account settings page UI as shown in following screenshot:

The top section or header of Settings page displays user avatar, name and about information. 3 big icons for customize profile, privacy options and contacts are provided below the user information.

Rest of the page contains other settings such as starred messages, linked devices, payments, account, etc.

WhatsApp Getting Dual Accounts Feature Officially

WhatsApp is going to provide dual account functionality to all users which will allow users to add and use two separate accounts in a single smartphone. In past, users had to use 3rd party apps or WhatsApp Business app as an alternative to use dual accounts in their smartphones. Now users will be able to run 2 WhatsApp accounts in single app.

Check out following exclusive article for detailed review and how-to instructions:

WhatsApp to Allow Using Two Accounts in One Phone

Green Tick Showing on Chats List and Bottom Tabs Order Changed

As we posted earlier in this article that WhatsApp is working on a big redesign for its UI on Android smartphones. The new redesigned UI moves all tabs or sections such as Chats, Communities, Status and Calls from top to bottom on Android similar to iOS or iPhone.

Now WhatsApp has made a minor change to the position of tabs on bottom. Previously the “Calls” tab was present at the end of the bottom bar. Now the “Calls” tab has been moved at 2nd place and the new order of tabs is as following: Chats, Calls, Communities, Status.

There is another big change in the UI. WhatsApp is now also displaying verification badge (green tick or check mark icon) next to all verified business accounts, channels in chats list page.

Both changes are showing in following screenshot:

The new redesigned “tabs on bottom” UI will be available to public in future versions of WhatsApp. At the moment, the UI is available to Beta testers only.

WhatsApp Users can Now Edit Sent Messages

The latest version of WhatsApp allows users to edit a sent message. Users can edit or modify a sent message within 15 minutes time frame. To edit a message, press and hold on the message and select “Edit” option. Once you edit a message, the receiver will see “Edited” label on the message near the timestamp. Don’t worry! The receiver will not be able to see the original or previous message if you edited it.

In past if we sent a message with spelling mistakes or accidentally sent an unwanted message to wrong person, we had to delete the message. But now we can simply edit the message text to correct spelling mistakes or remove unwanted content.

The new Edit feature is being rolled out in phases. If you haven’t received the feature yet, wait for some time and it’ll be available on your mobile phone soon.

WhatsApp Redesigned UI Brings Tabs on Bottom on Android

WhatsApp is working on a major design change for the app UI on Android smartphones. By default, all the tabs or sections such as Chats, Communities, Status and Calls are displayed on the top in WhatsApp on Android smartphones. On the other hand, iOS or iPhone version shows all these tabs at bottom.

Now WhatsApp has decided to move the tabs on bottom on Android platform as well to bring UI consistency on all platforms.

The new redesigned “tabs on bottom” feature will be available to public in future versions of WhatsApp. At the moment, this UI change is available to selected Beta testers only.

WhatsApp is Coming to Google’s WearOS Smartwatches This Summer

A special version of WhatsApp is under development for smartwatches. All smartwatches using Google WearOS 3.0+ will receive the new special version of WhatsApp and users will be able to use WhatsApp to send messages, reply by voice and take calls directly using their smartwatch.

The WhatsApp smartwatch edition will come with limitations and will not support media (photos, videos) initially. More features and functionality will be added in future.

Lock Chats with Passwords and Hide Them in WhatsApp

WhatsApp users will be able to lock chats with a contact or a group and keep the chats hidden for security and privacy purposes. To lock a chat, open contact info or group info page and select “Chat Lock” option.

At the moment, users can use their device biometrics (fingerprint, face unlock), password, PIN to lock the chats. In future versions, a separate or custom password could be used to lock personal chats.

Silence Unknown Callers in WhatsApp to Prevent and Reduce Spam

WhatsApp has added a new option “Silence Unknown Callers” to automatically mute calls from unknown person. Many times we receive spam calls from unknown people on WhatsApp. Now people can enable this new option to reduce the annoyance.

The option can be found under Settings -> Privacy -> Calls page in WhatsApp.

Transfer WhatsApp Chats Between Smartphones Without Google Drive

WhatsApp has added a new option to transfer chats between smartphones without any need to upload the whole chat on Google Drive. Users will need to connect the smartphones to Wi-Fi network and the chat will be transferred between their smartphones.

The transfer chats option is available under Settings -> Chats page in WhatsApp.

Built-in Add/Edit Contacts Screen in WhatsApp

WhatsApp is bringing its own dedicated Contacts Manager tool to add/edit contacts. In past, if the user wanted to save a contact, WhatsApp used to redirect to default device contacts app to add the contact. Now WhatsApp uses its own built-in tool to add or edit a contact without opening device contacts app.

How to Join WhatsApp Beta Program to Test New Features and Changes

If you also want to join Beta testing program to test new features and changes in WhatsApp immediately without waiting for the public release, you can sign into the WhatsApp Beta program using following official page:

Join WhatsApp Beta Test Program Using Google Play Store

Keep checking this article regularly to stay updated and learn about new features available in the latest version of WhatsApp.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Use Same WhatsApp Account in Multiple Mobile Phones

3 Excellent Uses of Message Yourself Feature in WhatsApp

How to Transfer WhatsApp Chat History and Media Between Android and iPhone