WhatsApp is quietly rolling out several modern features aimed at enhancing user experience, including the ability to schedule messages and an expansion of its “Liquid Glass” design to iOS chat bubbles. These updates, currently available to beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight program, signal a continued effort by Meta-owned WhatsApp to remain competitive in the messaging app landscape.
The message scheduling feature allows users to compose a message and select a future date and time for it to be sent. This functionality has been a long-requested feature by WhatsApp users, bringing it in line with offerings from competitors like Telegram. The ability to pre-write and schedule messages offers increased convenience for coordinating across time zones or simply remembering important communications.
Alongside message scheduling, WhatsApp is too expanding its “Liquid Glass” design, previously tested on Android, to iOS. This design aesthetic introduces a more fluid and modern look to chat bubbles, offering a subtle but noticeable visual refresh. The change aims to create a more cohesive and visually appealing interface across different platforms.
Access to these beta features is granted through Apple’s TestFlight platform, allowing WhatsApp to gather feedback from a select group of users before wider public release. Joining the WhatsApp beta program on TestFlight requires a compatible iOS device and enrollment through a public invite link, as detailed on WABetaInfo. Participation is subject to availability, as beta testing slots are limited.
How to Join the WhatsApp Beta on iOS
Interested iOS users can join the WhatsApp beta program through Apple’s TestFlight app. According to Apple’s TestFlight page, users need to accept an invitation – either via email or a public link – and have a device running iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later. The TestFlight app itself is available for download on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Watch, and iMessage.
Once enrolled, beta testers will receive updates with new builds of WhatsApp, allowing them to test the latest features and provide feedback directly to the development team. Each beta build remains available for testing for up to 90 days from its upload date, as noted in WABetaInfo’s documentation. TestFlight will notify users when new builds are available, and automatic updates can be enabled for seamless installation.
Liquid Glass Design Expansion
The “Liquid Glass” design, initially introduced on Android, represents a shift towards a more contemporary aesthetic for WhatsApp. The design changes primarily affect the appearance of chat bubbles, giving them a softer, more rounded look. This expansion to iOS aims to standardize the visual experience across platforms, enhancing brand consistency and user familiarity.
While the exact details of the Liquid Glass implementation on iOS are not fully documented, the goal is to provide a visually smoother and more engaging messaging experience. The design is intended to complement the existing WhatsApp interface without being overly disruptive.
What to Expect Next
These updates are part of WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to improving its platform and adding features requested by its user base. The company is also reportedly testing emoji-based sticker suggestions on iOS, as reported by 9to5Mac, further demonstrating its focus on enhancing communication tools. As these features move through the beta testing phase, users can anticipate wider public releases in the coming months. The continued development and rollout of these features underscore WhatsApp’s position as a leading messaging platform and its dedication to innovation.
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