WhatsApp has just submitted a new update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 23.16.1.73. The version marked within WhatsApp Settings is 2.23.16.73 and the TestFlight build is 23.16.1 (502672139).
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out safety tools for unknown phone numbers, and they are available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Safety tools |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.16.1.73 is marked as a compatible update, but some users may be able to get the same feature by installing one of the following updates: 23.15.1.77, 23.16.1.72. |
| I have the same version but I don’t have this feature, why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more people over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | IgnacioAF, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.19: what’s new? WhatsApp is rolling out voice chats, a new feature to communicate in your groups! |
838 days, 2 hours, 49 minutes and 5 seconds ago
Check out TestFlight or Twitter to discover when it's available.
SAFETY TOOLS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.6 update, we announced a new feature available to some beta testers: safety tools. Thanks to this new feature, WhatsApp wants to highlight what it’s possible to do when receiving a message from unknown senders by providing users with some important tips. After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.16.1.73 update from the TestFlight app, some beta testers may be able to get the same feature!
As you can see in this screenshot, a new screen appears when you receive the first message from an unknown phone number. With this feature, WhatsApp wants to help users know what to do in such situations. As always, they can either block the unknown person or report the messages to the team handling moderation. WhatsApp also gives some advice on staying safe while chatting, like checking the profile name, photo, and country code of the unknown phone number.
As we explained in the article about the Android update, these safety tools not only inform users about what they can do when they receive messages from unknown contacts but also introduce a new privacy feature. This feature keeps user privacy intact by making sure the sender doesn’t know if a message has been read by the recipient. Specifically, the sender won’t know that a message has been read until the recipient replies or when they add the unknown contact to their address book, giving users more control over their interactions and adding privacy to their conversations.
The new safety tools are available to some beta testers that install the latest update of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming days.
Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on Twitter. You can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.
Do you like this news? Please, let us know on Twitter: we love hearing your feedback! If you’re curious to see where you can find WABetaInfo, there is a dedicated page where you can discover our services.
In addition, we have set up a Discord Server where you can chat with other people, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest announcements from WABetaInfo.