WHATSAPP users are becoming aware of a quick and easy trick that gives them access to the app’s latest features before anyone else.
The trick is simple and merely involves signing up to be a WhatsApp beta tester.
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WhatsApp is constantly updating its app with new and improved features.
But before the new tools reach the masses, they’re rolled out to a small percentage of their userbase, called “beta testers”, who test-drive the features and give feedback before they go out to the public.
Take, for example, how beta users of the WhatsApp app were the first to try out the voice note pause feature back in March, months before it rolled out to everyone else.
The feature, which is now live for most users, means you can resume the recording before deciding to send it to the recipient.
More recently, we’ve seen the discovery of another voice note-related function in beta testing, which, if released, will allow users to add support for voice notes to the app’s status update.
This is a very important phase of any new app update because it allows developers to test the new features without affecting a lot of users.
However, anyone can access these secret features by simply becoming a beta tester themselves.
How to become a beta tester
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Becoming a beta tester is pretty simple and the good news is: anyone with a smartphone can join WhatsApp Beta and receive the new updates on their devices to test. As long as you’re an Android user, that is.
To become a beta tester, open a web browser on your Android smartphone and head over to play.google.com/apps/testing/com.whatsapp.
On the WhatsApp Beta app testing page, tap the “BECOME A TESTER” button and you’ll be made part of the WhatsApp Beta tester community. It’s as simple as that.
From then on, you’ll receivee beta updates of WhatsApp on your Android device.
Not aure if you were made a Beta tester? Just go to Play Store and search for WhatsApp, and if you are a beta user you’ll see WhatsApp Messenger (Beta) as your first result.
Although it’s worth noting that the Beta testing programme might sometimes be listed as “full”, meaning Whatsapp already has all the Beta testers it needs to try out it’s new features.
Still, it’s worth trying again at a later date if this is the case as beta tester numbers do tend to fluctuate.
Alternatively, try joining from a desktop browser instead of your smartphone, as sometimes this can work as a get-around.
If you were made a Beta tester but want to leave the programme so you can use Whatsapp as a regular user, this is easily done, too.
Simply head over to the WhatsApp Messenger Beta page in the Google Play Store, scroll down to the Beta Program section and tap “Leave WhatsApp Beta on Android” and you’ll be reverted back to the standard app.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
