The most recent change involves the user’s profile, with the app developing a new username option.
The most recent beta version of WhatsApp on Android introduces a new custom handle option in the app’s profile section.
Although nothing is known about how a username would function on WhatsApp, it moves the messaging service closer to the way users interact on Instagram, another platform owned by Meta.
This has the potential to revolutionise how people use WhatsApp by eliminating the need to exchange personal information in order to start a conversation, instead only requiring a username instead of a phone number or QR code.
WhatsApp conversations initiated with a user’s username are still stated to use end-to-end encryption.
WhatsApp is also updating their settings page to feature three new quick-access buttons. It will be included in a subsequent app version.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.18: what’s new?
WhatsApp keeps working on a redesigned settings page that includes three new shortcuts, available in a future update of the app!https://t.co/VBkAB0BWut pic.twitter.com/oxOZXLn3ld
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 25, 2023
The news arrives soon after the rollout of another much anticipated feature, the ability to edit sent messages.
Users can now go back and change their messages for up to 15 minutes after they’ve been sent, with the restriction that it will be marked as “edited” alongside the original time stamp.
In addition, the “Chat Lock” feature was released for the messaging app in the month of May. This feature allows users to restrict access to certain one-on-one or group discussions behind a password or biometric scanning. Notifications of new messages are also disabled.