WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.6: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.20.6.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature to create and share status updates in group chats, and it will be available in a future update!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Status updates in group chats |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is currently developing a feature to create and share status updates in group chats, which is expected to be released in a future update. |
| I've installed the update, but this feature isn't available. Why? | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp Launches Enhanced Calling Features for Large Businesses, AI Support, and Centralized Campaigns! |
STATUS UPDATES IN GROUP CHATS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.26.17 update, we announced that a feature to mention group chats in status updates was available. This feature allows users to mention entire groups in their status updates, notifying all group members instantly. Even participants normally excluded by privacy settings gain temporary access to the update when their group is mentioned, ensuring the message reaches everyone without manual adjustments. Additionally, those mentioned can choose to share the status with their own contacts, extending its reach while keeping the original creator anonymous. It seems that WhatsApp aims to improve the user experience by enhancing group interactions with status updates further, making it even easier to share content with group members. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.6 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature to create and share status updates in group chats!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow group members to share status updates visible to the entire group, scheduled for release in a future update. This feature eliminates the need to mention the group to share a status, removing the usual notification that comes with mentions and making sharing updates with the group more seamless and less intrusive. In an upcoming update, WhatsApp plans to add shortcuts within the group chat info screen that will enable users to quickly share a status update with all group members.
There will be two distinct shortcuts presented in the group chat info screen, designed to provide flexible options for sharing status updates. However, it is possible that only one of these shortcuts will be included in the final release, as both achieve the same functionality and having both may be redundant. Once shared, the status update will be visible to everyone in the group, regardless of whether the members have each other's phone numbers saved in their contacts. This means group status updates will provide a more inclusive way to share moments within groups without the limitations of contact syncing.
When users tap the shortcut to create a status update from the group chat info screen, they are prompted to select the type of update they want to post, such as media, text, music, or layouts. Once chosen, the status audience is automatically set to the group chat where the update will be shared. This ensures the status is visible only to members of that specific group. After sharing the group status update, other group members will be able to view them directly in the Updates tab, along with their personal and broadcast statuses. In addition, group status updates will be accessible from the chat list by tapping the group icon, within the group conversation, or from the chat info screen, preserving the familiar ways users currently view updates from their contacts.
Group statuses are designed to be visible exclusively to the members of that specific group, ensuring that the content remains private within the group chat. As a result, these updates are intended specifically for sharing with group participants, not with anyone outside the group. Additionally, group status updates are protected by end-to-end encryption, which means that only the group members can access and view the content. This guarantees both privacy and security for everything shared within the group status.
A feature to create and share status updates in group chats is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.
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