WhatsApp beta users are in for a treat as the popular messaging platform is reportedly testing a new feature that allows them to send media files of up to 2GB in size. This feature is currently being tested on both WhatsApp for iOS and Android, with a few beta users in Argentina already gaining access to it.
Up until now, WhatsApp users were only able to send files with a maximum size of 100MB. However, with the constant improvement in smartphone camera resolutions and the subsequent increase in media file sizes, users often faced challenges when trying to share these large files. This new feature will make it much easier for users to send sizable media files without having to rely on other platforms or software.
Although it’s not clear yet whether WhatsApp will enable users to share images in their full resolutions, the ability to send larger files is a significant development. Previously, WhatsApp would compress media files sent through the app, reducing their quality. Users would resort to sending images as documents to maintain the original content’s quality. WhatsApp has also been experimenting with showing previews for media files sent as documents.
In addition to this exciting news, WhatsApp for Android beta users recently received a handy feature that allows them to pause and resume voice message recordings. This feature was initially available only on iOS but has now made its way to Android beta users as well.
While it’s uncertain whether the media file size increase will be rolled out to all users, if WhatsApp decides to launch it globally, it could prove to be an essential addition. With increasingly high-resolution cameras on smartphones, media files are becoming more substantial, necessitating a convenient method for sharing them across devices or with others. WhatsApp’s new feature seeks to address this issue efficiently and seamlessly within its platform.
WhatsApp beta versions 2.22.8.5, 2.22.8.6, and 2.22.8.7 on Android, along with beta version 22.7.0.76 on iOS, have been marked as compatible updates for this test. However, as with any beta test, there’s a possibility that this feature may not be immediately rolled out to all users.
