WhatsApp working to enhance Status experience, here's how

WhatsApp is testing a new feature specifically meant for people who spend most of their time on the app using the Status functionality. Akin to Instagram Story, WhatsApp Status allows users to post photos, videos, and text as ephemeral content, displayed on a dedicated screen. Users can post as many Status as they want, but a series of them may sometimes be too overwhelming for viewers who may miss a few posts. The upcoming WhatsApp feature is aimed at solving this problem by prompting users with a notification when they have any Status posts unattended.

According to WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.8.13 brings the feature to alert users when they have pending Status updates from their friends. The screenshot in the report shows what this notification would look like. “You have an unseen status update from WABetaInfo” — says the notification to remind the user to check the new post. The report mentioned that this upcoming feature could be an extension of another upcoming feature that sends notifications to users when they are mentioned in a Status. However, there is no clarity on what would trigger these notifications.

How will this WhatsApp Status feature work?

Since there is no confirmation from WhatsApp and the feature is still in development, there is only so much we know currently. If what the report says is true, WhatsApp’s upcoming feature will send notifications to users when they miss a Status update from their contact. The conditions for these alerts, however, are unclear. For instance, will these notifications work only for Status updates that mention the recipient or could the recipient configure notification settings on WhatsApp to send alerts only for select contacts? There is also a possibility that these alerts are decided by WhatsApp for frequent contacts. We currently do not know, but those on the beta programme should be able to access it on their WhatsApp version on Android.

To become a part of the beta programme on Android, head to the Google Play Store and go to the WhatsApp section. You will find the option to join the programme towards the bottom of the page. Tapping the button will forward your application, which will take some time to be accepted. After it is accepted, you will start receiving unreleased features on your version of WhatsApp. Remember that even though all features are a part of the beta programme before the wider release, not every tester has always access to them.