WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.15.19: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.15.19.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to quickly record voice messages with a single tap, and it's available to some beta testers!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.13.10.70 update, we announced that a feature to record voice messages with a single tap was available. This feature is designed to streamline the voice messaging experience, as tapping the microphone button automatically activates the recording lock. This removes the need to press and hold or swipe up, making it easier and more convenient to send voice messages. It appears that WhatsApp now intends to offer Android users the same voice recording functionality as it already does for the iOS version, aiming to provide a consistent experience across both platforms. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.15.19 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to quickly record voice messages with a single tap!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new unified experience for recording voice messages across individual conversations, group chats, and channels. This new approach replaces the previously separate methods with a simplified and more intuitive system. Currently, WhatsApp offers two main ways to record voice messages. The first method requires users to press and hold the microphone button, and the message is sent automatically once the button is released, provided it lasts more than one second. The second method allows for longer recordings by sliding the finger upward after tapping the button, which activates a lock mode so users can speak without holding the button.

The new unified method combines both these options into a single and seamless action. Now, users can simply tap the microphone button once to start recording. The lock is automatically activated, so there's no need to press, hold, or swipe. This eliminates extra steps and allows for a smoother recording experience, as users can focus entirely on their voice message without worrying about how to manage the recording controls. Despite the simplified process, users still retain control over the voice message, since it's possible to listen to the note before sending it or delete it if they choose not to share it. This helps prevent the accidental sending of voice messages, which was a concern with the older "press and release" method.

Compared to the previous methods, the new unified mode offers both speed and convenience. It reduces physical strain from holding the button and removes the risk of misusing the swipe gesture. Users no longer need to choose between short or long recording modes, as everything is handled automatically. This consistent behavior now applies across chats, groups, and channels, ensuring the same user experience everywhere in the app. While some users might initially find the new method unfamiliar, especially those who are used to the older two-step process, this is likely to be a matter of habit. Over time, the simplicity and efficiency of the new system may lead users to prefer it over the previous methods, as it reduces friction and makes sending voice messages faster and more intuitive.

A feature to quickly record voice messages with a single tap 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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