WhatsApp is adding functionality to edit sent messages for a set duration of time, according to WABetaInfo, a Twitter account that tracks and analysis WhatsApp beta releases. The latest feature is apparently live on the iOS version of the latest beta app 2.17.1.869, although it is disabled by default and has to be enabled manually.
WhatsApp added in beta the possibility to edit messages that you already sent!
It is actually disabled by default and it’s under development— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 14, 2016
The new feature will not allow users to edit very old messages, although it’s not clear what the time limit for editing messages will be. Messaging apps like Slack and Telegram already sport this feature. Message once edited, will be displayed as edited, as they should be. Users will also be able to ‘revoke’ or delete messages, however, this will also be displayed to the other user as ‘message deleted’.
WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.17.1.869: how revoking messages work. #hidden #whatsappbeta pic.twitter.com/pEfGfZO1gN
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 14, 2016
It’s not clear when this feature will be launched on the main app or even the Android beta. According to WABetaInfo, “Android and Windows Phone news are coming in next days.” Note that WhatsApp has previously introduced features in the beta app only to disable them in subsequent beta versions. One such feature, video calling, was reintroduced about 6 months later.
Other features introduced in this beta include options to share statuses selectively with certain contacts, ability to copy and forward/share user statuses and an ability to comment on other’s statuses. Other features introduced in recent times include two factor authentication and video calling last month, desktop apps in May, encryption for all users, etc.
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WhatsApp, with 900 million monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide, is second only to Facebook’s Messenger in number of users. Facebook claims Messenger to have over 1 billion MAUs, while Hike claims to have 100 million users. Microsoft’s Skype has 300 million MAUs, while other video calling providers like Apple and Google haven’t provided these details.
