WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.5.21: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.5.21.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a new call menu feature for chats and groups, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Call menu for chats and groups |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.5.21 has been designated as a compatible update. |
| 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, Sniper, Wawan, flakoflow, lostliano, FastenM, DarkCrystal, and Technical MJ TV, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp news of the week: Android update to manage privacy settings for profile links is in development! |
CALL MENU FOR CHATS AND GROUPS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.5.8 update, we announced that a call menu for chats and groups was under development. This new feature would aim to enhance the calling experience by replacing the existing separate voice and video call buttons with a unified call menu. The redesigned menu will provide users with greater control over their calls, allowing them to select specific participants in group calls rather than automatically calling all members. It appears that WhatsApp is now testing this feature with the public, as some beta testers have reported seeing the new menu available in their conversations. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.5.21 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a new call menu feature for chats and groups!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new feature that adds a new call menu to the top app bar of their conversations. This menu replaces the previous two buttons used to initiate voice and video calls with a single call button. In individual chats, this button displays a voice call icon, but this does not mean that video calls are no longer available. Instead, when users tap on the call button, a menu appears, allowing them to choose between a voice or a video call. Additionally, the menu includes a shortcut to quickly create and share a call link, making it easier to invite others to join a call without the need to open the Calls tab or the chat attachment menu.
In group chats, the call button displays the video call icon, but users still have the option to initiate voice calls from within the new menu. The redesigned call menu in group chats also includes a shortcut for generating and sharing a call link. Moreover, one of the most useful additions is the ability to select which participants to call, rather than automatically dialing the entire group. This improvement offers greater flexibility and control, making it possible to call only a specific set of users within a group.
It is very important to mention that this new menu helps users prevent accidental calls. Previously, tapping on the call button would immediately start a voice or video call, which could sometimes lead to unintended calls if a user pressed the button by mistake. With the new menu, users must first confirm their call preference, adding an extra step that significantly reduces the risk of mistakenly dialing a contact or group.
A new call menu feature for chats and groups 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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