WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.22.4: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.22.4.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out new shortcuts to quickly lock chats, and they are available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Chat lock shortcut |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.22.4 is marked as a compatible update. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it's rolling out to more people over the coming days. |
| Special thanks: | Swakshan, for collaborating, testing, and reporting. In addition, thanks to rubiokarim and Traiti, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to reply to status updates using avatars on iOS and Android! |
CHAT LOCK SHORTCUT
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.21.8 update, we shared some information regarding a new feature in development: a secret code for locked chats. In the past few months, WhatsApp shared some plans regarding the possibility of choosing a custom password to access our protected chat folder, and the mentioned update confirms their commitment to these plans. However, it appears that WhatsApp is placing a significant focus on enhancing protected chats. In fact, thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.22.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out new shortcuts in order to improve the process of locking chats!
As you can see in this screenshot, a new shortcut to quickly lock chats right within the chat list may be available to some beta testers. In addition, WhatsApp is going to make it easier to lock chats even from the chat info screen by introducing a dedicated toggle. It is very important to mention that users may not be able to get both of the new features today. In fact, some users may only be able to lock conversations from the chat list with the new update, and not through the new toggle. Similarly, other users may only be able to lock conversations through the toggle. Finally, only a very limited number of beta testers have the opportunity to experiment with both shortcuts starting today.
In our opinion, these shortcuts may really be helpful when users need to lock a chat quickly. In the previous updates of the app, users needed to open the chat info section, select the option to lock the chat, and enable the toggle in the "Chat Lock" screen. Thanks to the most recent update, WhatsApp is making this feature more intuitive by displaying it in the chat list to some beta testers, ensuring that even those users who haven't previously noticed it become aware of the ability to protect chats, and improving the process by reducing the number of steps required to lock or unlock a chat. This confirms their commitment to improving the user experience by making it easier for users to manage locked chats.
New shortcuts to lock chats are available to some beta testers who install the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and they're rolling out to more people over the coming days.
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