WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.21.7: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.21.7.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that replaces Tenor with the Klipy GIF provider, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Klipy GIF provider |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development, and it is not available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp launches Channel Status to share temporary updates! |
WhatsApp expands GIF keyboard layout to show more results at once
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.11 update, we announced a feature that expands the GIF keyboard layout. The update increases the number of columns from two to three. With this layout, the GIF keyboard displays one additional GIF per row, and this allows users to see a 50% increase in the number of GIFs visible at once. So users can find the right GIF more quickly, since more results appear on screen at once and they do not need to scroll as much.
WhatsApp to introduce Klipy as another GIF provider
At the moment, WhatsApp is focusing on further improving its GIF search experience. To avoid any disruptions in the future, WhatsApp is committed to introducing a third GIF provider alongside the existing ones. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.21.7 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that replaces Tenor with the Klipy GIF provider.
WhatsApp allows users to access GIF search through either GIPHY or Tenor
WhatsApp currently uses two main GIF providers: GIPHY and Tenor. GIPHY is a large GIF platform known for its extensive library. Many social apps also integrate GIPHY to provide users with millions of animations that are easy to search and share. Tenor is a separate GIF search service that focuses on fast keyword-based discovery and expressive reaction GIFs. Both providers power WhatsApp's built-in GIF search, making it easier for users to find and send animations directly within their conversations. While they offer the same basic functionality, they can differ in ranking systems and the results that appear most prominently. Users are assigned to only one of the two providers at a time, rather than having access to both simultaneously.
Tenor announced the discontinuation of its official API
Recently, Tenor has announced that they will discontinue their official API on July 1, 2026. This decision will affect how GIF search works in services that rely on it. Many platforms like WhatsApp will no longer be able to access its content in the same way as before. This could prevent users from being able to search for GIFs properly, since Tenor would no longer be available. Since many users depend on Tenor, this change could impact their experience. As a result, services that use it need to adjust how they get GIF results in order to preserve a continuous GIF search experience for users..
WhatsApp will introduce Klipy to maintain GIF search continuity after Tenor's API deprecation
In a future update, WhatsApp will address this issue by introducing Klipy as a new GIF provider. Klipy is a third-party GIF search service that lets users discover animated GIFs through a structured API. It works in a similar way to other providers like GIPHY and Tenor. WhatsApp will use it as an additional source of GIF results to maintain continuity in the search experience. Although WhatsApp already supports Klipy as an official third provider, it will not become active immediately. Instead, WhatsApp will begin using it once Tenor's API is fully deprecated. Note that WhatsApp is also working on bringing Klipy to the iOS app.
WhatsApp distributes users across two providers to ensure a reliable GIF search system
WhatsApp uses both GIPHY and Tenor because it splits its users between these two providers. This means that WhatsApp balances load and avoids relying too heavily on a single GIF source. If WhatsApp were to switch all users to only GIPHY, it could overload the system and make performance less stable. It would also create a single weak spot: if GIPHY ever went down, many users could suddenly lose access to GIFs. By distributing users across two providers, WhatsApp reduces this risk and keeps the system more resilient. This is also why the introduction of Klipy is important, as it provides an additional fallback option. With a third provider in place, WhatsApp can further protect GIF functionality by replacing Tenor once its API is deprecated.
The Klipy GIF provider in WhatsApp is under development on Android
The feature that replaces Tenor with the Klipy GIF provider is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp is refining how the app can automatically transition between GIF providers. Once testing is complete, this feature will be gradually introduced to users, making it easier to search for GIFs using Klipy once Tenor is no longer available.
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