WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.22: what’s new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.9.22.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a file sharing feature with people nearby, and it will be available in a future update!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | People nearby |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is working on bringing a file sharing feature with people nearby to a future update of the app. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is under development so it’s not ready for beta testers, but it is possible to discover a preview in this article. |
| Special thanks: | Sc and Adwaith Varma, for collaborating, testing, and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.20: what’s new? WhatsApp is rolling out an event feature for community group chats! |
PEOPLE NEARBY
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.2.20 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to easily share files with people nearby. This feature was designed to offer enhanced file sharing experience between users nearby, improving the convenience and efficiency of exchanging documents, photos, videos, and more. Although this feature is still in development, it appears that WhatsApp is now working on further refining this feature by introducing new detailed screens, as discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.22 update from the Google Play Store.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is currently in the process of developing a section where to list all needed permissions to share files with people nearby, set for release in a future update of the app. Users will find easy access to this section directly within the app settings, enhancing the process of transferring specific files to nearby devices. With this feature, other users will be able to be discovered only if they also open the same screen within their WhatsApp app and grant permission for their device to be detected and connected to. This means that the process will be entirely opt-in for all parties involved. Users will have full control over whether they want to be visible to others nearby, ensuring privacy and security. It is very important to note that file sharing is always end-to-end encrypted, and phone numbers are hidden throughout the discovery and transfer process for added privacy.
By using the people nearby feature, access to photos, media, and files stored on the device is needed to facilitate their transfer via WhatsApp to another device. Users will be prompted to grant permission to the application to detect and connect to devices on their local network, as it won’t use data connection. Additionally, location permission is necessary to identify, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices. It’s important to highlight that WhatsApp will provide users with the ability to revoke these permissions at any time via the device settings, giving them greater control over their privacy settings and preferences.
In our opinion, the ability to share files with people nearby will brings two significant advantages to the sharing experience, especially for large files. It will add a layer of convenience to the process of sharing documents, photos, and videos, reducing the need of transferring such files through other means like WhatsApp chats or cloud storage services. In addition, by enabling users to easily transfer large files directly between devices in close proximity, it minimizes reliance on Internet connectivity, offering a faster and more reliable method for sharing data, particularly in areas with limited or unstable network coverage.
As with any feature under development, there’s a level of uncertainty regarding its eventual release, and several factors contribute to this uncertainty. User needs and preferences play a significant role in determining whether a feature will be released. WhatsApp might conduct thorough research and internal testing to understand what features users want and their expectations regarding their functionality. If the file-sharing feature for people nearby won’t align with the needs or expectations of the majority of users, WhatsApp may decide not to release it. As a result, its eventual release is uncertain at this stage of development, and only time will tell.
A file sharing feature with people nearby is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. We will share another article once we’ve gathered additional information about this feature.
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