Anticipated Expansion: WhatsApp’s Upcoming Update Expected to Roll Out Widely, Introducing the New Nearby File Sharing Feature
WhatsApp continues to enhance its file-sharing capabilities, with recent improvements including HD photo sharing introduced for all users last year. In its latest development, the Meta-owned messaging platform is reportedly working on a new feature called nearby file sharing for Android users. This feature enables WhatsApp users to seamlessly share files with others in close proximity, reminiscent of Apple’s AirDrop functionality. Alongside this innovative addition, the beta version of the app on Android is receiving an update (version 2.24.2.20) that addresses a camera bug, ensuring a smoother user experience.
According to insights from WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the update, currently available through the Google Play Beta Program, unveils the upcoming nearby file sharing feature. Although not yet accessible for beta testers, the report provides a sneak peek into this anticipated feature. A shared screenshot reveals an option within the app stating, “Share files with people nearby,” accompanied by a list of nearby users and a visibility setting.
Notably, users can control their visibility without disclosing their phone numbers to non-contacts. To initiate file sharing, users would send a share request, and nearby users can accept it after shaking their device to see the incoming request. It’s important to highlight that the nearby file-sharing feature is designed with end-to-end encryption, prioritizing user privacy. As this feature is in its developmental stages, users can look forward to its widespread availability in a future update of the WhatsApp application.
While the nearby file sharing feature will reportedly arrive in a future update, the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.2.20 update has rolled out a fix for a recent bug that prevented users from launching the camera in the app. According to a separate WABetaInfo report, some beta testers on Android encountered an issue that prevented them from launching the camera inside the app after the 2.24.2.13 WhatsApp beta update.
The bug would show a message in the app that read “Can’t start camera, please restart your device.” Restarting the device or relaunching the app, however, did not fix the issue.
The latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.2.20 update brings a fix for the camera bug, allowing users to launch the camera inside WhatsApp and proceed to share photos and videos with their contacts.
Last week, WhatsApp Channels, the broadcasting feature that lets organisations and public personalities send updates to their followers on the messaging platform, received a host of new tools, including a polling feature, voice notes and the ability to share Channel updates to Status.