WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.19.10.70: what's new?

WhatsApp has just submitted a new update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 24.19.10.70.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a like reaction feature for status updates, and it's available to some beta testers!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.21 update, we announced that WhatsApp is currently rolling out a like reaction feature for status updates. With this addition, WhatsApp offers a new way for users to engage with status updates by allowing them to express their appreciation through a quick heart emoji reaction. It appears that WhatsApp now intends to offer iOS users the same opportunity to experiment with a new reaction feature for status updates, as it already does for the Android version. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.19.10.70 update, which is available on TestFlight, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a like reaction feature for status updates!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can now explore a new way to react to status updates, as a new like reaction button has been integrated directly into the status screen. The reaction will appear alongside the usual list of viewers, making it easier for users to track who has interacted with their content. It's worth noting that, similar to the Android version, these like reactions on iOS are private and protected by end-to-end encryption. This ensures that the reaction remains confidential, as it can only be seen by the status creator and not by other viewers or third parties. It is also possible to manage notification settings for these reactions, opting to disable alerts for reactions if users prefer to reduce interruptions.

In our opinion, the new like reaction feature is expected to enhance the way users interact with status updates, making it more intuitive and less intrusive than sending a direct message. Additionally, we believe that the feature could potentially lead to higher engagement rates on status updates, as users may be more inclined to react quickly without the need for additional typing. In many cases, users might hesitate to react to status updates using emojis or avatars because doing so could start a new conversation thread, which they might not always intend. Thanks to the new like reaction feature, users can easily acknowledge a status update without the concern of initiating a full conversation.

In addition, this update is built with the iOS 18.0 SDK, which means it is ready to take full advantage of the new features and capabilities introduced with iOS 18 in the future. It's important to mention this is likely the first time WhatsApp has released an update immediately using the initial SDK version of a major iOS release. In the past, WhatsApp typically started supporting the latest iOS version a few months after its official launch, making this a significant shift in their update strategy.

A like reaction feature for status updates is available to some beta testers who install the latest versions of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app, and it's rolling out to more people over the coming weeks.

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