Wattsapp to steal one more fun feature from telegram

WhatsApp, the world’s most popular instant messaging service, has been adding a lot of features to its platform over the past couple of years. However, most of the new features it brings are mostly inspired by its rival, Telegram. Now, WhatsApp appears to have stolen one more feature from Telegram. As one of the biggest cross-platform messaging services, WhatsApp evolves at a constant rate. A feature that has been spotted in the works is the potential addition of animated emoji within WhatsApp chats.

Code-digger WABetaInfo has uncovered work by Meta to bring animated emoji to WhatsApp. This would stack with other findings in recent months that heavily imply that we’ll get more options for in-app stickers and emotes.

According to this find,WhatsApp has started testing animated emojis in chats. This is in line with reports that the instant messaging platform would bring more fun emojis and stickers to the service. These animated emojis look extremely similar to the ones found on Telegram. This feature will appear when you send a single emoji, and WhatsApp will automatically convert a regular emoji into an animated one. It will also increase the size of the emoji to give it more prominence. when sending specific emoji, this will mimic Telegram’s existing feature by automatically adding animation to the outgoing or received message. This is merely a cosmetic change, but one that might be of interest to many users that might never have used rival services that already have similar features.

whatsapp animated emoji

It appears that the animated WhatsApp emoji are designed and created using Lottie. This is an optimized library that makes it quick and easy for designers to create animations but keep the package size small. Scalability is touted as a benefit, as increasing image size shouldn’t impact on quality.

At the moment, the only indications of the option coming to the messaging platform come via the WhatsApp desktop beta. However, it’s highly likely that animated emoji will be available on all version of WhatsApp when released.

WABetaInfo also has noted some minor improvements are arriving for the contact view within WhatsApp. Android users on the latest beta may spot minute changes to the “About” text that shows underneath contact information. The text used is now smaller so that multiple lines of text are now visible. It’s a tiny change that might help you out if you are enrolled on the latest Android beta build.

More on WhatsApp:

WhatsApp testing biometric locking ability for individual chats

it's often amazing that as one of the world’s biggest messaging platforms, WhatsApp lacks several functions that are found in rival services like Telegram and Signal. It seems that WhatsApp is testing biometric locking for individual chats in the latest beta.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta v2.23.8.2 shows signs of adding biometric locking for individual chats and even group messages. This added layer of security might be a welcome promise for those that use WhatsApp as their main communication platform.

Currently, you can lock WhatsApp using a PIN, fingerprint, or Face Unlock model. However, this fully locks access to the application itself. This function would allow you to lock specific chats with a fingerprint or passcode. Being able to do this would be great if you want to create a greater level of privacy for communications.

You’ll only be able to view specific WhatsApp chats after you have scanned your fingerprint. They will be hidden until you have done this. You’ll be able to hit the three-dot menu for any messages or group chats and choose the “Chat lock” option.

WhatsApp companion mode now rolling out to all beta users

After months of teasing, and then testing with a limited pool of users, the dedicated “companion mode” for WhatsApp is now rolling out for all beta users on Android.

While workarounds have existed to allow you to use your WhatsApp account on multiple devices using the “Linked devices” function, the “companion mode” is a baked-in function that will let you use your account across multiple handsets. Some lucky WhatsApp users have been able to test-drive the companion mode as part of the Android beta.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta for Android v2.23.8.2 is widely rolling out companion mode to anyone currently enrolled in the program. Considering this was first spotted all the way back in November 2022, it is about time that more people were able to test it out for themselves.

For those wondering how this mode differs from the ability to use the “Linked devices” function, effectively, you can link up to four phones at once. That aforementioned function only allows you to link your PC, laptop, tablet, or selected smart displays. All of your chats and group chats are synced across the phones you link. It even pairs in the same way. Using the “Link a device” menu, you can pair using a QR code. Both of your phones will need to be running at least WhatsApp beta v2.23.8.2 to get the ability to pair with your phone.

It should work in the exact same way that the “Linked devices” function works. That means you can take and place calls, continue chats, plus do all of the core WhatsApp stuff you’re used to. However, some features may still not be available, such as the ability to manage broadcast lists and post a status update from the linked device. You can’t initiate chat backups using a paired phone.

Sadly, the new companion mode is only currently available to WhatsApp beta users on Android. You won’t be able to pair with iOS unless you use the screen DPI workaround to pair to an iPhone. Luckily, we have a handy guide for that here.