WhatsApp is testing Instants to share live photos and videos
WhatsApp is working on a new camera feature called Instants, the same functionality already available on Instagram. With this feature, users can share encrypted photos and videos that disappear as soon as the recipient sees them. The feature focuses on spontaneous photos and videos that users can share in the moment without editing them.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Instants |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is testing a native location status update on Android! |
WhatsApp rolled out status updates in the chat list
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.17.1 update, we announced a feature that shows status updates in the Chats tab. With this feature, WhatsApp displays status updates at the top of the chat list, making it easier for users to notice them without opening the Updates tab. The app shows status updates in a horizontal row, similar to how they appeared in the Status tab before WhatsApp introduced channels. Users can open status updates and watch them without leaving the chat list.
WhatsApp is developing an Instants camera for the Android app
WhatsApp continues to refine the Chats tab to make it a central hub for everything users share with their contacts. Today, WhatsApp is now working on a new feature to share ephemeral photos and videos. We discovered this with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.45.13 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. With this update, WhatsApp is testing a feature called Instants, bringing the same ephemeral experience already available on Instagram. By using Instants, users will be able to take a photo or video and send it to their mutual contacts.
Instagram Instants is a tool to share disappearing photos and videos
Meta launched Instants on Instagram on May 13, 2026. The feature lets users take spontaneous, unfiltered photos and videos and send them to their close friends or mutual followers. The instant photo disappears after the recipient views it, and users cannot upload photos from their gallery. This means that they cannot edit the photo using third-party tools since they have to take it with the camera. Users can use Instants to share casual moments as they happen, without any editing.
How WhatsApp is implementing Instants
WhatsApp is now exploring the same concept within its own messaging experience. In a future update, WhatsApp will add a lightning bolt button at the top of the Chats tab. Once users tap the button, WhatsApp presents the Instants camera where users can create and send ephemeral content to their contacts. Similar to Instagram, Instants on WhatsApp will support both photo and video sharing. For videos, users will be able to record clips of up to 30 seconds.
What the Instants camera looks like on WhatsApp
Once users open Instants, they will notice the same interface available in Instagram. The app asks users to enter a caption, so they can add a short description to the photo before sending it. At the bottom of the screen, WhatsApp will let users choose between different filters. These include: Original, Goof, Bulge, Nervous, Tears, Fisheye, Glitch, VHS, Fade, and Prism. Note that WhatsApp may refine these filters before the official release, as the feature is still under development. WhatsApp will also introduce a feature that blocks screenshots while the recipient views the Instant. Screenshot protection is not available for status updates, so this makes Instants a more private option to share content with multiple contacts.
How WhatsApp keeps Instants secure and private
Instant photos and videos on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted. This means that only the sender and the recipient can see them. In addition, WhatsApp cannot access the photo or the caption attached to it. Similar to status updates, only mutual contacts will be able to see the instant photo and video. As a result, users can only share an instant photo or video with someone who has their phone number saved in their address book.
WhatsApp is developing Instants for a future Android update
Instants is currently under development on Android. Since this feature is in development, it's not available yet. WhatsApp will release it to the public in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp has not announced when this feature will be available.
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