WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.8.12: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.8.12.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature to share motion photos in chats, groups, and channels, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.9 update, we announced that a new gallery interface for sending photo and video albums was available. This feature allows users to select multiple media items simultaneously without the need to go through the drawing editor first, and they can also add captions to entire albums instead of being limited to individual photos or videos. Additionally, WhatsApp has enhanced the way shared media appears in chat by automatically grouping media items into an album within a single message bubble, even when fewer than four items are included. It seems that WhatsApp is developing additional sharing tools, primarily focused on enhancing the photo-sharing experience further. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.8.12 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature to share motion photos in chats, groups, and channels!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to share motion photos, scheduled for release in a future update. Motion photos are a type of media format that captures a brief moment of movement before and after a photo is taken. Unlike traditional images, motion photos include a few seconds of video and audio, providing an immersive way to capture memories. This feature is particularly popular on certain mobile devices, as it bridges the gap between photos and videos by adding a touch of animation to snapshots.

Motion photos are commonly available on devices like Samsung Galaxy smartphones, where the feature is called Motion Photo, and Google Pixel devices, which often refer to it as Top Shot or Motion Photos. Apple also offers a similar feature called Live Photos on iPhones, which captures a few seconds of video along with each still photo, and its support is already available on WhatsApp for iOS. These motion photos are often saved in specialized formats that combine static images with short video clips, allowing users to relive moments with a single tap.

WhatsApp's upcoming support for motion photos aims to expand the media-sharing capabilities of the app. When users attempt to open the gallery sheet, they can expect to see a new button specifically for motion photos. This button will give users the option to choose between sending the static image or the motion photo version, if available, offering greater flexibility depending on the context. The feature will be particularly useful for capturing moments where subtle movements or reactions are essential to the memory, as it allows users to share not only a still image but also the dynamic essence of the moment.

While the motion photo-sharing feature is still in development, it is expected to be compatible with both individual and group chats, as well as channels. This means users will be able to share motion photos with friends, family, and followers without losing the dynamic essence of their captured moments. Additionally, recipients will automatically view the motion photo in its animated form, even if the feature is not supported on their device. For iOS users, these motion photos will likely appear as Live Photos, allowing them to enjoy the full effect of the captured movement and sound, just as they would with any other Live Photo on their device.

A feature to share motion photos in chats, groups, and channels 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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