WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that makes it easier for users to recognize the latest media file shared in a chat. With this functionality, WhatsApp shows a small thumbnail directly in the chat list. The update helps users quickly identify photos, videos, and stickers without opening the conversation.
| Key points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Media previews in the chat list |
| Feature availability: | Some features may be under development, so they are not available to beta testers. Others may become available to users over time. If you're unable to access a certain feature, you will need to wait for a future update. |
| News shared last week: | WhatsApp rolls out username field for new contacts |
| Previous article: | WhatsApp is testing a new feature to schedule channel updates! |
Weekly WhatsApp beta updates: new features and improvements
This new weekly roundup brings together all the latest updates about WhatsApp beta shared this week. As a result, you can finally catch up on everything you might have missed from our past announcements. You can consider this summary as a way to keep up new features, improvements, and fixes. This week's highlight focuses on media previews, a feature that makes it simpler to recognize the latest message shared in a chat. See what else has been announced this week.
WhatsApp makes emoji reactions animated
After installing the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.33.4 update, some beta testers can experiment with animated emoji reactions. Previously, animated emoji were limited to messages. But now, WhatsApp animates them when users react to messages. At the moment, WhatsApp offers a limited set of animated emoji. To get started, users can react to messages by using one of the emoji available in the reaction tray. In the future, WhatsApp will make more emoji available for animation. Users can disable animated emoji reactions at any time directly from the app settings > Accessibility > Animations.
WhatsApp is rolling out media previews in the chat list
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.32.11 update, WhatsApp is introducing a feature that lets users see media preview directly in the chat list. This feature shows a small preview of photos and videos in the chat list when they're the latest message shared in the conversation. It is also compatible with stickers, making it easier for users to recognize the latest sticker received in a specific conversation. As a result, this functionality gives users a faster way to identify recent media from the chat list. These thumbnails help users save a step to discover what someone shared in a chat without opening it.
WhatsApp is developing a feature to add new options to polls
WhatsApp is developing a feature that will allow poll creators to decide whether other group members can add new options to their polls. If the user wants others to be able to add new options, they need to enable the toggle right within the poll creation screen. When the creator turns it on, group members can contribute their own choices to the poll after it is shared. If the creator leaves it off, the poll works exactly as it does today. This feature is especially useful in larger groups, since many members may add better options to the poll.
WhatsApp is exploring AI-powered expansion for photos
WhatsApp is experimenting with a feature that will let users expand their photos using Meta AI. In a future update, users will be able to extend the boundaries of an image to generate new content beyond its original frame. This will be useful when a photo does not fit the desired aspect ratio or when users want to include more of the surrounding scene. As a result, Meta AI will expand the photo based on its existing content.
WhatsApp is working on new improvements for Liquid Glass
WhatsApp is focusing on new updates for Liquid Glass. Specifically, WhatsApp is testing improvements for the drawing editor and the video player on iPhone. In the future, WhatsApp will make the drawing editor and video player feel more consistent with the design introduced in iOS 26. These improvements include redesigned buttons in the drawing editor and a progress bar compatible with Liquid Glass.
WhatsApp is developing scheduled updates for channels
WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let admins schedule updates in their channels. To schedule an update, channel admins will have to tap and hold the send button and choose the date when WhatsApp should share it for everyone. WhatsApp will add the update in a queue until the right moment and publish it without any action from the admin. The admin does not need to be online or have the app open at delivery time. Channel admins will be able to schedule an update anywhere from 10 minutes to two weeks ahead.
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