WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.5.5: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.5.5.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on favorite contacts to quickly place calls, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.3.10.70 update, we announced a feature in development to designate favorite contacts. With this enhancement, WhatsApp aims to provide users with a more convenient call placement by adding contact shortcuts to the calls tab, simplifying the process of initiating calls with preferred contacts. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.5.5 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is also working on bringing the ability to choose favorite contacts to the Android app!

As you can see in the attached screenshot, the ability for users to select favorite contacts is currently in development and planned to be released in a future app update. These selected favorites will prominently display at the top of the calls tab, enhancing access to frequently contacted users with just a single tap. Users will have the ability to manually choose their favorite contacts by selecting them from the contacts picker, ensuring a personalized experience based on individual preferences.

In our opinion, this enhancement is designed to improve accessibility, offering an intuitive shortcut for initiating calls directly from the calls tab. With favorite contacts readily accessible at the top of the calls tab, users will be able to initiate calls with just a single tap, eliminating the need to sift through their entire contact list. This shortcut saves valuable time, particularly in urgent situations or when frequently contacting specific contacts. In addition, we believe that offering a feature to designate favorite contacts will provide users with a personalized communication experience that aligns with their preferences. Thanks to this feature, WhatsApp will provide users with the ability to personalize their calling interface by introducing shortcuts to the contacts they interact with most frequently, enabling them to prioritize specific contacts within the calls tab.

The feature to designate favorite contacts to quickly place calls is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. We plan to publish a new article when we have further details about this feature to share with you.

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