Latest beta build provides us with an early look

Jan 8, 2019 10:32 GMT  ·  By

WhatsApp has started testing a new major update for the iOS version of the application, and the most recent beta build provides us with an early look at what’s to come to all devices at some point in the near future.

As reported by WABetaInfo, these improvements are part of beta build 2.19.10.21, and they include a new feature that makes it possible to add stickers on images.

At this point, whenever you send a photo to one of your contacts, you are allowed to edit the image by adding a drawing or an emoji. Beginning with this update, stickers are supported too for more customization options.

Private reply option

A handier feature is the private reply option in group chats. Android devices running beta builds have already received such functionality, and users can tap a message from a certain contact in a group chat and then select to reply privately. A private chat opens and the message you picked is quoted so you know where to start the conversation.

iPhones are also getting improved 3D Touch support, and beginning with this update, it’s possible to peek and pop messages placed in the Status section.

Right now, if you open status posted by one of your contacts, your name appears at the bottom of the screen, so they know that you viewed it. But by using 3D Touch on a status, your contact no longer receives a read receipt, so it’s more of an invisible way of viewing statuses published by your friends.

There are also further improvements for stickers, as WhatsApp will allow users to manage more than just a sticker at the same time in a conversation window.

There are no specifics as to when this update is projected to become available to everyone, but given the beta testing has already started, it shouldn’t take too long before the rollout begins.