Update your WhatsApp NOW – these four new features totally change the app

WHATSAPP has received loads of new features – so update your app right now.

We’ve seen a bumper month for WhatsApp upgrades that will transform your use of the chat app.

WhatsAppYou’ll be alerted when a View Once photo has been opened[/caption]

There are four key new features, which you can read about below.

Ditching iPhone for Android

WhatsApp has been under pressure for years to let users move their chat histories across platforms – between Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.

Normally, you’d have to start from fresh when getting set up on an Android phone, even if you’d used WhatsApp on iPhone for years.

But a new tool lets you move your entire chat history from iPhone to new Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

This includes voice notes, photos and conversations.

And WhatsApp says it can preserve end-to-end encryption throughout the process.

“Your WhatsApp messages belong to you,” said WhatsApp’s Sandepp Paruchuri.

“That’s why they are stored on your phone by default, and not accessible in the cloud like many other messaging services.

“We’re excited for the first time to make it easy for people to securely transfer their WhatsApp history from one operating system to another.

“This has been one of our most-requested features from users for years, and we worked together with operating systems and device manufacturers to solve it.”

WhatsApp says it eventually plans to expand the scheme beyond moving from iPhone to Samsung phones.

It will roll out to other Android phones, and will eventually let you switch to iPhone too.

Read about it here.

WhatsApp on multiple devices

WhatsApp has finally made it possible to use the service on multiple devices at the same time.

This includes PC and laptop use without having to “mirror” from your smartphone.

It’s one of the most-requested WhatsApp features, and has been for years.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time,” said WhatsApp’s Will Cathcart.

“Until now, WhatsApp has only been available on one device at a time.

“And desktop and web support only worked by mirroring off your phone.

“Which meant your phone had to be on and have an active internet connection.

“Now you can use our desktop or web experiences even when your phone isn’t active or connected to the internet.”

Find out how here.

Joining calls

WhatsApp has created a brand new calling interface.

You get several quick-tap options, as well as a Ring button.

And the update also makes it possible to join group calls.

Group calling already exists on WhatsApp.

But this update will make it easy to hop into group calls that are already ongoing.

This is possible if you temporarily ignore a group call invite.

If you then re-open WhatsApp and the call is still ongoing, you’ll be presented with an alert.

This lets you quickly hop into the call without having to request access.

You’ll see this new Tap To Join banner in the Calls tab.

And there’ll be a Join Call button in the group chat where the call originated.

Find out how here.

Vanishing texts

WhatsApp has finally added a self-destructing feature for photos and videos.

The Snapchat-style ‘View Once’ tool is live today – and it’s really easy to use.

To send one, you’ll need to update to the latest WhatsApp beta and then tap the ‘1’ icon when sharing a photo or video.

WhatsApp says you might use the feature to send photos of clothes you’re trying on in a shop, or sensitive info like a WiFi password.

These photos won’t automatically be saved in camera rolls, which is good news.

Sadly, unlike Snapchat, WhatsApp won’t be alerting users if someone screenshots the disappearing message.

But it still adds a bonus layer of security that doesn’t currently exist in WhatsApp.

Read about it here.

How to join the WhatsApp Beta

Some of these features require you to sign up to the WhatsApp beta.

Here’s how to do it…

To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.

Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.

Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.

Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.

Joining the WhatsApp beta on iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.

Follow Apple’s guide here.

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