WhatsApp rolls out double speed for status updates on Android

WhatsApp is introducing a feature that lets users watch status updates at double speed. Users can activate it by pressing and holding the right side of the status interface. The gesture is also available in chats, groups, and channels.

WhatsApp rolled out 2x video playback for status updates on iOS

In the post about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.36.10.70 update, we announced a feature to adjust the playback speed for status updates. The feature lets users watch a status at double speed by pressing and holding the right side of the screen. Users can restore the normal speed the moment they lift their finger. Since status updates with an audio track can now last up to 30 seconds, this update is even more useful in this case.

WhatsApp is bringing the same feature to Android

WhatsApp introduced this feature on the iOS app last month. Finally, WhatsApp is bringing the same experience to Android users as well. We discovered this with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.40.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. With this update, WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that brings playback controls to status updates. The feature allows users to control the playback speed within the status interface with a simple gesture.

How the gesture works

Users can watch a status at double speed by pressing and holding the right side of the screen. WhatsApp immediately switches to 2x playback and keeps it until the user lifts their finger. With this action, the status plays through at double speed and covers the content in half the time. Users can slow down at any time by simply lifting their finger, and the status continues at normal speed.

The speed returns to normal as soon as users release the screen

The double speed is not a setting that persists between status updates. Users need to manually activate it, and it deactivates the moment they lift their finger from the screen. This makes the gesture a temporary boost rather than a permanent switch. Users can press and release as many times as they want during the same update. This means that they can switch between normal and double speeds without any limit.

Why this gesture feels familiar to Instagram and TikTok users

The press-and-hold gesture for faster playback is not new. Users can already use the same gesture on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to manage video playback. As a result, many users on WhatsApp already know how to use it from other platforms. WhatsApp is not introducing an innovative feature to interact with status updates. Instead, WhatsApp is bringing the same gesture to the status experience. For anyone who uses this gesture on other apps, there is nothing new to learn here.

Why 2x speed makes longer status updates easier to watch

Since WhatsApp raised the maximum music clip duration for status updates from 15 to 30 seconds, some status updates are now longer than before. Users with many contacts may find it harder to catch up on all their status updates. The new double speed option makes it possible to watch more status updates in less time. Note that the gesture is also available in individual chats, groups, and channels. However, WhatsApp already introduced this feature with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.26.20 update.

WhatsApp is rolling out 2x video playback to Android beta testers

This feature is available to some users who install the latest update from the Google Play store. WhatsApp is rolling it out gradually, so not every beta tester will see the gesture working immediately. If the gesture doesn't work yet, WhatsApp will release it to more users in a future update. WhatsApp has not announced when this feature will be available to everyone.

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