WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.4.18.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is working on bringing profile icons within group chats, for a future update of the app!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Profile icons – group chats |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is working on bringing profile icons within group chats to a future update of the app. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is under development so it is not ready to be released to beta testers, but you can discover a preview in this article. |
| How to join the community on WhatsApp? | WABetaInfo Community |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.4.0.70: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on sending photos with high quality! |
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 22.23.0.70 update, we announced that WhatsApp was releasing profile icons within group chats, that makes it easier for users to identify who is sending a message. We anticipated this feature on WhatsApp for Android by publishing a screenshot on Twitter two months ago, but we did not receive any subsequent updates on the development of this feature until a recent discovery in the latest update. In particular, we discovered that the company keeps working on this feature in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.4.18 update:
As you can see in this screenshot, it is evident that WhatsApp keeps working on the development of profile icons within group chats. Therefore, we can say for sure that WhatsApp has not abandoned the development of this feature and it is still planned for a future update. We think it will particularly be useful in situations where multiple contacts in the group chat share identical names or don’t have a profile photo.
In particular, in the event that a group member does not have a profile photo or it is hidden due to their privacy settings, the default empty profile photo will always be displayed. In our opinion, it really helps to distinguish between different group members and makes it easier for users to quickly identify who is participating in the conversation. This default image is recognizable by its unique characteristics: it’s always tinted with the same color as the corresponding contact name and it also helps other people in the group chat easily follow the conversation and respond appropriately.
This feature is under development and will be released in a future update of the app. As we always do, we will publish an additional article when we have further details about the release to share with you at a later date.
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