WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.18.8: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.18.8.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to forward messages and media to Meta AI, and it's available to some beta testers!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.26.8 update, we announced that a message forwarding feature for Meta AI was under development. This new feature aims to simplify user interaction with Meta AI by allowing users to forward messages and media directly to the chatbot. Users can also add contextual queries during the forwarding process, enabling Meta AI to generate more accurate and personalized responses. It appears that WhatsApp is now testing this feature with the public, as some beta testers have reported the availability of the ability to forward messages directly to the chatbot. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.18.8 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to forward messages and media to Meta AI!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new way to interact with Meta AI through the capability to forward messages. To check if this feature is available on your device, simply try forwarding a message and see if Meta AI appears in the forwarding screen. If it does, you can send text, images, or videos directly to the chatbot. This method provides a quicker way to share content with Meta AI, especially when users want to receive assistance, ask questions, or request analysis of forwarded content. Previously, this workflow was less efficient, as users had to manually copy the content they wanted to share and paste it into the Meta AI chat. Now, it's possible to share both messages and media directly, without the need to save or retype anything.

During the forwarding process, WhatsApp also allows users to include an optional note. These notes are sent alongside the selected messages or media and help Meta AI better understand the user's intent. For example, if a user forwards a photo, they might add a question such as "Is this image authentic?" or "Can you describe what you see?". This additional input gives Meta AI the necessary context to provide more relevant and helpful responses. Thanks to this functionality, users can get smarter replies that are tailored to their needs, whether they're looking for information, clarifications, or quick summaries. This makes Meta AI even more useful as a productivity and research assistant integrated directly within WhatsApp.

It's worth noting that Meta AI can only access and read the content that users explicitly decide to share with it. Forwarding messages is entirely optional, and any shared content may be used by Meta to help improve its AI systems. Additionally, it is possible that this message forwarding option is also becoming available in the stable version of the app. This means that users who are not enrolled in the beta program may also be able to take advantage of this feature.

A feature to forward messages and media to Meta AI 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.

Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on X. You can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.

Do you like this news? Please, let us know on X: we love hearing your feedback! If you're curious to see where you can find WABetaInfo, there is a dedicated page where you can discover our services.
In addition, we have set up a Discord Server where you can chat with other people, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest announcements from WABetaInfo.