Meta-owned WhatsApp is rolling out a fresh batch of features aimed at improving the user experience during audio and video calls on Android, with several enhancements now in testing through the beta version 2.25.10.16.
Spotted by sleuths at WABetaInfo, the update includes three notable features currently being trialled with a limited group of beta testers.
First up is a new mute button for incoming voice calls, accessible directly from the notification panel. This allows users to answer a call while keeping their microphone muted.
While the practical use may vary, it could prove handy in noisy environments or when users aren’t quite ready to speak. It’s a subtle change but one that could make a big difference for multitaskers or those caught off guard.
The second feature lets users disable their camera before answering a video call – a long-requested privacy function. Whether you’re not camera-ready or hesitant to appear on-screen when receiving a call from an unknown number, this addition allows for more control over how and when you show up on screen. It also provides a potential layer of security amid growing concerns around video-based scams.
Rounding out the trio is the addition of emoji reactions during video calls. Users will be able to react in real-time using emojis – similar to how reactions work in apps like Zoom and FaceTime – allowing for more expressive and engaging group video calls without interrupting the conversation.
These features are currently only available to selected users in the WhatsApp Android beta program but are expected to roll out more broadly in the coming weeks.
Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance WhatsApp’s call functionality come as part of a larger push to maintain its dominance in the messaging and communications space – particularly as competitors like Telegram and Signal continue to gain traction.
