WhatsApp Gears Up for New Features: Chat Themes and Username PINs
WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, is continually evolving to meet the diverse needs of its users. Recently, the company has been working on some exciting new features that could significantly enhance user experience. Feature trackers have provided a glimpse into these upcoming additions, which include customizable chat themes and a security-focused Username PIN feature.
WhatsApp Theme Picker for iOS
Earlier this month, feature tracker WABetaInfo discovered a new theme picker menu in development for a previous beta version of WhatsApp for Android. While the picker didn’t include any themes in that version, the WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.17.10.71 update showcases previews of several themes.
When the feature eventually rolls out, WhatsApp will offer users 10 theme presets to choose from, according to WABetaInfo. Screenshots of the theme picker in action reveal two horizontally scrolling rows of themes. The top row features solid color backgrounds, while the bottom row includes themes inspired by landscape art. Each theme comes with chat bubble colors that complement the background color.
It’s important to note that the theme picker isn’t currently available to beta testers, as it is still in development. Even if you’ve installed the latest beta version of WhatsApp for iOS via TestFlight, you’ll have to wait until the feature is ready for testing. WABetaInfo claims that these themes will be visible only to the user who applies them, unlike platforms such as Instagram and Messenger, where the same theme is shown to all chat participants.
WhatsApp Username PIN Feature
In addition to the theme picker, WhatsApp is developing a feature that will allow users to start new conversations without sharing their phone numbers. This is facilitated through a username feature, which hasn’t been released to beta testers yet. However, the company is now working on a feature that will protect users from unwanted contact after they set up a username.
According to WABetaInfo, the recently released WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.2 update includes details of an advanced “Username PIN” picker. Users will reportedly be prompted to set up a PIN after they establish a unique username on WhatsApp. This feature allows users to set a new passcode that they must share with others to start a new conversation using their newly set username. This added layer of security gives users control over who can send them messages, potentially preventing spammers and unwanted chats from reaching them.
Similar to the theme picker spotted on iOS, this WhatsApp Username PIN feature is still in development, meaning it won’t be accessible even after downloading the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android. Both features will be rolled out to beta testers in the future before they are made available to users on the stable channel.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s upcoming features, such as the theme picker for iOS and the Username PIN feature for Android, are poised to enhance user experience significantly. The theme picker will allow users to personalize their chat backgrounds and bubble colors, making their conversations visually appealing. The Username PIN feature, on the other hand, will provide an additional layer of security, giving users more control over who can contact them.
As these features are still in development, users will have to wait a bit longer to experience them. However, the anticipation is building, and the eventual rollout promises to make WhatsApp even more user-friendly and secure. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments!