WHATSAPP is working on a big change to the app for 2023.
It’s going to make one WhatsApp feature much more useful on iPhone.
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If you’ve used Apple’s FaceTime recently, you’ll notice that you’re free to browse your iPhone while on a video call.
When you swipe away, you can stay on FaceTime using a picture-in-picture thumbnail – while browsing other apps.
But that currently doesn’t work if you’re on a WhatsApp video call.
Now WhatsApp has revealed that you’ll be able to use minimised video calls “in the new year”.
In a blog post, WhatsApp confirmed that the feature is now in beta testing.
That means anyone on the WhatsApp for iOS beta can give it a go.
And then in early 2023, it will roll out to general WhatsApp users.
“While WhatsApp is best known for bringing private and secure messaging to users across the world, more and more people are using WhatsApp as a way to connect with voice and video calls,” WhatsApp said in a new blog post.
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Other WhatsApp calling changes
WhatsApp has also made a number of other changes to voice calls.
The first change is that WhatsApp now allows 32-person video calls – four times the number of people before.
That means video calls now have the same maximum capacity as voice calls on WhatsApp.
Second is the ability to message or mute people on your calls.
Long-press on a participant to enlarge the video or audio feed.
This will allow you to either mute or message them separately, without ending your current call.
The third feature is the ability to share call links with other people.
That means you can very easily invite people to a group call ahead of time – which is great if you’re using it for work, or a special occasion.
Fourthly, WhatsApp has added colourful waveforms.
This should help you see who is speaking if their camera is off.
And fifth is the addition of in-call banner notifications.
This will alert you when someone new joins a call that you’re in.
If you want to join the beta to check out Picture-In-Picture mode, follow our guide below.
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 iOS is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
