WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.10.2: what’s new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.10.2.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is releasing a feature to automatically play GIFs, and it is available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | GIF auto-play |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.10.2 is marked as a compatible update, but some users may be able to get the same feature after installing the previous update. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to even more users over the coming days. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to play voice messages outside of chats on Windows beta! |
GIF AUTO-PLAY
After installing the latest WhatsApp beta update for Android 2.23.10.2 update from the Google Play Store, some users may notice something different in the way GIFs are played. In the past, users had to tap the GIF to play its animation. However, with the new feature released in this update, if a GIF appears when you open a chat or scroll through a conversation, it will be automatically played. Some users may have thought this was a bug, but it is actually a new feature released by WhatsApp to some beta testers.
As you can see in this video, WhatsApp automatically plays the GIF when we open the conversation, in order to offer the best communication experience. As a result, users no longer need to tap on the GIF to play it, making it more convenient to view. Note that at the end of the animation, you will need to tap on the GIF to play it again: the automatic playback is limited to the first time the GIF is displayed in the conversation to avoid constant distractions.
We understand that the auto-play GIF feature may seem like a minor addition to the app. However, when combined with other minor features released in the past, such as the ability to send a message immediately after declining a call released in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.9.16 update, we think it helps to improve the overall user experience within the application. For this reason, while auto-playing GIFs may seem like a small detail, it’s yet another example of how WhatsApp is always looking for ways to enhance the user experience and make the application better for everyone.
The feature to automatically play GIFs is available for some beta testers that install the latest update of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming days.
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