WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.11: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.22.11.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to create and share status updates in group chats, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Status updates in group chats |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.11 has been designated as a compatible update, but some users may get the same feature by installing certain previous updates. |
| 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: | shw_9876, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp news of the week: username key feature is under development on Android! |
STATUS UPDATES IN GROUP CHATS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.6 update, we announced that a feature to create and share status updates in group chats was under development. This feature would allow users to seamlessly post status updates that are visible exclusively to members of a specific group, without needing to mention the group to let them see the update. It would introduce a more intuitive and less disruptive way to share updates, with shortcuts in the group chat info screen enabling quick access to status posting tools. It appears that WhatsApp is now testing this feature with the public, as some beta testers have started seeing signs of the new functionality appear in their app. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.22.11 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to create and share status updates in group chats!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can now explore a new option to create status updates directly within the group info screen. This feature is different from the one that lets users mention an entire group in their regular status updates. In this case, the update is specifically created from within the group itself and is automatically shared only with its members. Users no longer need to manage their privacy settings or rely on mentions to share status updates with the group, as the update is inherently group-specific.
The new interface highlights that only members of the group can contribute to these updates. Additionally, as with regular status updates shared with contacts, those shared in groups will also disappear automatically after 24 hours. This ensures that updates remain timely and relevant without cluttering the conversation history or requiring manual deletion. Group status updates can be viewed directly by tapping the group icon, making them easy to access without switching contexts. They are also visible from the Updates tab, where they appear alongside other status updates, but remain limited in visibility to group members only.
To create one of these new updates, users simply need to open the group info screen. There, it is possible to find a new entry point that allows users to share a status update directly with the group. This streamlines the process and makes it easier to share quick updates relevant to the group. For example, group members can post a visible update that all members can access in one place instead of sending a message that might get lost in the chat. It's particularly useful in busy groups, where conversations move quickly, and important updates can otherwise go unnoticed.
It's worth noting that only participants of a particular group can view the updates shared through this new feature, keeping the content limited to the intended audience. This setup ensures that anything posted remains inside the group and isn't accessible to outsiders. WhatsApp also applies end-to-end encryption to these updates. This means that no one outside the group, not even WhatsApp, can view or access them.
A feature to create and share status updates in 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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