WHATSAPP is testing new features in the app – and you can try some of them right now.
There are loads of changes coming to WhatsApp, all leaked before their general release.
Most of these new features are available in the beta – the test version of the app.
Scroll down to the bottom of this article to find out how to join that.
The beta app is where WhatsApp tests new features first – to make sure they’re working right.
Only after beta testing do the new features make it to the general WhatsApp app.
The features were revealed by WhatsApp sleuths over at WABetaInfo, a site that regularly leaks new updates to the app.
One new feature in the WhatsApp Desktop beta app is new colours for chat bubbles when you’re using the dark theme.
WhatsApp is also testing a new feature on the iOS beta for enabling and disable message reactions – another new feature coming up.
You can find this setting under Settings > Notifications.
On WhatsApp beta for iOS, there’s a new global voice note player.
That lets you continue listening to voice notes even when you switch to a different chat.
This feature is also expected to come to Android soon.
It’s available in the beta for iOS – but only select users will be able to use it.
WhatsApp has added advanced search filters for people using the WhatsApp Business beta on Android and iOS.
That lets you filter your chats and messages using special search filters, including contacts, non-contacts and unread.
There are some other features in testing that aren’t available to try.
These features are previewed but haven’t been offered in the beta just yet.
One is a drawing editor update for WhatsApp on Android.
You’ll have new pencils that let you scribble on your WhatsApp images.
There are two new pencils, bringing the grand total to three.
WhatsApp is also developing a feature that can blur images – for both iOS and Android.
How to get WhatsApp beta
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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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk