WhatsApp is introducing a new feature called video messages in the latest beta updates for iOS and Android, bringing the ability to share short videos up to 60 seconds. This feature is currently available to selected beta testers and will be gradually rolled out to more users over the coming weeks.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Video messages |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.12.0.71 and WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.13.4 are marked as compatible updates. |
| 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: | FastenM and Sc, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.13.4: what’s new? WhatsApp is rolling out redesigned switches and floating action buttons by following Material Design 3 guidelines! |
845 days, 9 hours, 41 minutes and 13 seconds ago
Check out TestFlight or Twitter to discover when it's available.
VIDEO MESSAGES
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.6.0.73 update, we introduced a new feature under development: video messages. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to share short videos for up to 60 seconds, providing users with an enhanced way to quickly communicate with videos. The same feature was also spotted during the development of the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.19 update. After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.12.0.71 update available from the TestFlight app and the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.13.4 update from the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out the ability to record and send video messages to some lucky beta testers!
The easiest and quickest method to check if the ability to record a video message is enabled for your WhatsApp account is to tap the microphone button within the chat bar in any conversation: in case it turns into a video camera button, you can already record video messages starting today. When you send or receive a video message, you need to enlarge it by tapping on the video once if you want to listen to the audio, as shown in the attached screenshot. Note that you should ask the recipient to update their version of WhatsApp so they can receive your video messages.
Since a video message is recorded and sent in real-time, it offers a sense of immediacy compared to a pre-recorded video that can be saved for being sent later. When recipients receive a video message, they can perceive it has recently been recorded, which significantly enhances its authenticity. It’s worth noting that video messages are always end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that nobody outside the conversation, not even WhatsApp, can access them. While it is not possible to directly forward video messages through the app, it is still possible to save them by screen recording as they are not sent by using the view once mode.
The ability to record and share video messages is available to some beta testers that install the latest version of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app and WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.
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 know 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.