WhatsApp will offer several new features for future updates in 2023.
These include a share screen feature, an option to add a username and more.
The features will be available for users across iOS, Android, and Desktop.
Add usernames
A new feature will let users add usernames to their accounts.
The feature will provide users an alternative to displaying phone numbers.
It will also give the option to hide their phone numbers, so that only usernames are visible to others.
With this, users will be able to communicate with each other by using usernames instead of revealing their phone numbers which will add a layer of security.
Once available, the username feature will be accessible through a dedicated section in the WhatsApp Settings > Profile menu.
Share screen
A new screen sharing feature is in the works which will enable users to share their phone screen during a video call.
WhatsApp users will be able to share their screen during video calls through a dedicated icon in the call control view.
Once turned on, the participants on the video call will be able to view and record the content displayed by the recipient.
Screen sharing will only be enabled if the users give consent to share the screen content.
It is currently available for Android beta testers.
Password reminder
Meta will soon add a password reminder feature for Android and iOS users.
The feature will help users to ensure the accuracy of their encrypted backup password and change it if there is an error.
Users can protect their backups with end-to-end encryption by setting up a personal password or a unique 64-digit encryption key.
Neither WhatsApp nor the backup service providers (Apple and Google) will be able to read encrypted backups or access the unlocking key.
App language and message draft filter
WhatsApp is also testing a new feature with its beta users that allows them to modify the language of the app and provides a message draft filter.
Here, WhatsApp has added a new option called “Language” within the app settings.
Those with access can change the language of the app and conveniently use it in a language other than their default language.
The feature is currently available to select Windows beta users.
Status archive feature for businesses
Businesses get a new feature which will allow them to share their past status updates with their customers.
The status archive feature is being released to enhance the Status tab of the platform.
Once the feature is released users will be notified about the feature being active for their WhatsApp account.
When activated, users’ status updates will be archived on their devices after 24 hours.
Manage archive preferences
Business users will be able to manage their archive preferences and view their archive status directly from the menu within the Status tab.
The archived status updates will be stored on the device for a period of 30 days.
The archived status will remain private to everyone and will be accessible only to the respective business for reviewing their archived status updates.
