WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.9: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.24.9.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a new gallery interface for sending photo and video albums, and it's available to some beta testers!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.23.11 update, we announced that WhatsApp is currently rolling out a feature to open the photo and video gallery from the chat bar. This feature allows some beta testers to access their gallery content more conveniently, replacing the previous camera shortcut. Instead of opening the camera by default, users can now quickly tap the new gallery icon to view stored photos and videos, reducing the steps needed to share media within chats. With the latest updates, WhatsApp seems to be exploring further enhancements to the gallery, with a focus on making it quicker and easier for users to send and manage multiple photos and videos. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.9 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a new gallery interface for sending photo and video albums!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a revamped gallery interface for selecting photos and videos. With this updated gallery sheet, users have the option to immediately select multiple photos or videos simultaneously, simplifying the overall process of sending albums. This feature is a significant improvement over the previous interface, where users had to first select a single item, which would then open in the drawing editor. Only after this initial step could additional photos or videos be selected. Additionally, WhatsApp has added a new convenient button that allows users to share selected photos and videos in high quality, eliminating the need to open the drawing editor.

Another notable change is that the media-sharing process is faster since WhatsApp now skips the drawing editor screen after a photo or video is selected. In earlier versions, selecting a media item would automatically open the editor, adding an extra step that was often unnecessary. With the latest update, some beta testers are taken directly to the chat interface screen after selecting their media files, as WhatsApp has enhanced the sharing process by skipping the drawing editor that previously opened by default. For users who still want to edit their photos or videos before sharing, they can simply tap the edit icon next to the caption bar. This change means that the editing option remains accessible without interrupting the immediate sharing experience for those who don't need to make adjustments.

About captions, WhatsApp has added support for photo and video albums to include their own captions. This feature allows users to add context or personal notes to an entire album, which is especially useful when sharing multiple media items at once. Previously, captions could only be added to individual photos or videos, so this change makes it easier to provide a single description for a set of images or clips. In addition, when users send more than one photo or video with a caption entered directly into the gallery sheet interface, WhatsApp now automatically groups your media items into a single message bubble. This grouping occurs even if only two items are sent, but only if a caption is included. In the past, media would only be grouped if users sent four or more photos or videos consecutively. Now, even two items with a caption will appear as an album, giving the chat a cleaner and more organized look.

Another improvement involves how album details are displayed and previewed in the chats list. Users can now see the number of items in an album directly from the list, making it clearer when the latest shared message in the conversation includes multiple photos or videos. In previous versions, if users shared an album, it would simply show a single photo or video item, with no indication that it was part of a larger set. This change helps users quickly identify albums at a glance, as it reduces confusion and makes it easier to understand if the recipient shared an album.

We believe this is a substantial upgrade to both the gallery and album experience in WhatsApp, with the goal of making the sharing process smoother and more enjoyable for users. However, it's worth noting that recipients may need to install a recent version of WhatsApp to see grouped photos and videos displayed correctly, along with the album caption. While WhatsApp has ensured that the recipient can already view these new album messages, it's always recommended to update to the latest version available to ensure full compatibility and the best experience.

A new gallery interface for sending photo and video albums is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.

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