WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.20: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.9.20.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out an event feature for community group chats, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Events |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.20 is marked as a compatible update, but some beta testers may experiment with the same feature by installing one of the following versions: 2.24.9.18, and 2.24.9.19. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Sc and ShuhaibNC, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.19: what’s new? WhatsApp is working on a feature to manage favorites! |
EVENTS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.21.12 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to allow community members to create events. Through this feature, community members would have been able to create events for specific occasions, such as organizing online meetings through WhatsApp calls and notifying all members within the community who have accepted the event invitation. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.20 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out an event feature for community group chats!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, select beta testers can now explore a new feature to create events within their community group chats. If this feature is available, a dedicated option will appear directly within the attachment panel for initiating events with ease. During event creation, users are prompted to input a name, description, select a date, include an optional location, and specify if a voice or video call is required. Once an event is sent, recipients in the community group chat can review and accept it, while the creator retains the ability to update its details by editing it. In this case, all members who have accepted the event will receive notifications of any modifications.
These events will be listed within both the group chat info screen and the community home, facilitating easy access for users to stay informed about upcoming activities and engage accordingly. It’s important to highlight that these events are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that only participants in the conversation can access and respond to them. It's also worth noting that this feature is currently limited to communities, but WhatsApp is also exploring its implementation for regular group chats outside of communities, as mentioned in our article about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.6.10.73 update. However, as highlighted in our earlier story, it may not be available anytime soon.
An event feature for community group chats 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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