WhatsApp launches an official CarPlay beta app
WhatsApp is introducing a new CarPlay app for iOS beta testers. The new native app makes it easier for users to view their chat list, send messages, and make calls directly from the CarPlay interface.
| Key points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | WhatsApp for CarPlay |
| Feature availability: | Some features announced in this article may be under development and not yet available to all beta testers, or they may be gradually rolling out to users. If you're unable to access a certain feature, you will need to wait for a future update. Keep reading for more information. |
| News shared last week: | WhatsApp is working on Liquid Glass interface for voice note player! |
| Previous article: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.14.1: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that helps users filter their business chats! |
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 stay informed about new features, improvements, and fixes. This week's highlight focuses on WhatsApp for CarPlay, a new beta app that makes interactions with contacts easier. See what else has been announced this week.
WhatsApp is working on a section displaying online contacts
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.13.3 update, we announced a feature to see a list of which of their contacts are currently online. This feature is currently under development, but first insights report that it will make it easier for users to start interactions with online contacts. Users will be able to sort the contact list either by name or by online status. However, this feature will follow the privacy settings set by your contacts. If someone has disabled their last seen, they will not appear in this new contact list.
WhatsApp releases a native CarPlay app
WhatsApp has never offered a native interface for CarPlay. With CarPlay, WhatsApp relied on Siri integrations to handle basic tasks. With the latest beta updates available on TestFlight, WhatsApp is finally launching an official app for CarPlay. The app offers a chat list, although it's not possible to open specific chats as the driver shouldn't be reading entire conversations while on the road). Instead, the chat list is designed to let users locate their contacts with ease.
Users can also see contact info and access their favorites. These sections make it simpler for users to interact with their contacts. Additionally, users can view their recent calls in one single, organized tab. The list includes incoming calls, outgoing calls, and missed calls that the user did not answer. WhatsApp for CarPlay is currently available to beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app.
WhatsApp displays photos from address book when profile pictures are missing
On WhatsApp for iOS, WhatsApp is introducing a feature that automatically displays photos from the address book when a contact has no profile picture. When a user has not set a profile picture, WhatsApp can use the saved image from the contact card. Note that the feature only affects the view on the user's device and does not change the contact's actual profile photo. Even if you don't have a profile picture, WhatsApp will show your contact card photo in the app settings, but only on your device.
WhatsApp introduces new emojis from Unicode 17.0
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.13.5 update, WhatsApp is rolling out new emojis from Unicode 17.0. The set includes Distorted Face, Fight Cloud, Hairy Creature, Orca, Ballet Dancers, Landslide, Trombone, and Treasure Chest. These emojis are now visible within the built-in emoji picker. This means that select beta testers can now send them without installing third-party keyboards.
Enable two-step verification for added privacy
Since users may fall victim to attempts to trick them into sharing their 6-digit code, it's very important to enable two-step verification. This feature allows users to improve their account security by requiring a PIN in addition to the standard verification code. Users must choose a 6-digit code that works as their personal PIN for verifying access to the account. Once your PIN is set, you will need to enter it if you register your phone number on WhatsApp again. As a result, enabling two-step verification makes it harder for malicious actors to hack your account.
WhatsApp alerts users about fake app used for government-grade spyware
In the past few days, WhatsApp discovered a malicious fake version of the app. The unofficial application was secretly used to deploy government-grade spyware on iPhones. WhatsApp has identified approximately 200 users who may have downloaded a malicious version of the WhatsApp client on iOS. WhatsApp has already logged out all identified users from the fake application. It is important to note that these companies did not exploit any vulnerabilities. Users who downloaded and exclusively used the official WhatsApp application from the App Store, TestFlight, or Google Play Store were not at risk.
WhatsApp is rolling out update replies for channel admins
The WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.13.10.70 update lets some channel admins reply to their own updates. With this feature, channel admins can reply to an update to add more context. Once shared, channel followers will be able to see the reply along with a reference to the original update. Channel admins can reply to their updates older than 30 days, but only followers who joined the channel at least 29 days before the original update was posted will be able to see it.
WhatsApp is developing a filter to locate business chats
WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow users to filter their chats with business accounts. In the future, WhatsApp will introduce a dedicated business filter in the chat list. This filter will allow users to quickly locate their business chats in the chat list. It will automatically include all conversations with business accounts without requiring manual setup. This means that users can use this list to avoid searching for conversations with businesses manually within the chat list.
Stay tuned with us to discover new features and updates about WhatsApp coming your way next week. We will continue tracking all the latest beta releases, improvements, and bug fixes so you never miss a thing. Make sure to check back regularly and stay ahead with the newest ways to enhance your WhatsApp experience.
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