3 min readJun 9, 2016 12:23 PM IST
First published on: Jun 9, 2016 at 09:34 AM IST
WhatsApp might be looking to add GIF support to its iOS app, based on a Beta build. (Representational Image. Source: Reuters)
WhatsApp is looking to add GIF support to its iOS app, and the feature has been spotted in iOS beta build (version 2.16.7.1). It also appears that WhatsApp will end support for iPhones running iOS 6 and older versions of the OS.
WABetaInfo, which is a Twitter account dedicated to WhatsApp’s upcoming features, has put out the tweet claiming the GIF support. Previously WABetaInfo had also put out reports that WhatsApp was working on a native app client for Windows and OS X, which was later released by the company.
Check out WABetaInfo’s tweets below
The Twitter account has also posted about a hidden string in the new iOS beta build, which indicates WhatsApp will be ending support for devices running iOS 6 and older from December 31, 2016. WhatsApp has already ended support for Nokia and BlackBerry devices.
WABetaInfo has posted about some key features in the new iOS beta on pastebin, and GIF autoplay will be supported along with the ability to save GIFs to the camera roll. And yes, GIFs will also be encrypted.
Other notable features mentioned in the pastebin documents are: ability to delete multiple chats at once, see which are the active group participants as well.
WhatsApp has been steadily adding a host of new features to its app. Recently the company added support to share documents, like PDFs, Doc files, etc even from third-party apps like Google Drive, OneDrive. The feature is available on both Android and iOS.
WhatsApp is also now fully encrypted end-to-end by default, which means that man-in-the-middle attacks are no longer possible on WhatsApp chats, and no third-party can read or listen in to the conversations.
WhatsApp is also working on a video-calling feature, which was earlier spotted in an Android beta build, but later taken off. We’ll have to wait and see when WhatsApp finally launches the video-calling feature.
As for the GIF support on iOS beta, it looks like WhatsApp wants to make the app a little more fun in the future for its users. Facebook Messenger already has GIF support, and given that Facebook owns WhatsApp, the feature should not take long to make an appearance.
WhatsApp might be looking to add GIF support to its iOS app, based on a Beta build. (Representational Image. Source: Reuters)
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