Latest news with #TestFlight
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Gulf Insider
WhatsApp To Introduce Usernames? Here's What You Need To Know
Soon, you may no longer need to give out your phone number to chat on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is working on a long-anticipated feature: usernames — allowing people to connect with others without sharing their actual phone numbers. This brings WhatsApp closer to platforms like Telegram and Signal, which have long offered similar privacy-centric options. According to findings from WABetaInfo (via Tecnoblog), traces of the feature were recently discovered in the TestFlight beta version for iOS. While it's not yet live for testers, WhatsApp appears to be building the system's framework and interface in the background. The introduction of usernames could mark a significant privacy milestone for WhatsApp, giving users greater control over who sees their personal information. Instead of displaying a phone number by default, the app will soon allow people to identify one another via unique handles. How will it work? Initial details reveal that users will be able to create a unique username consisting of lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. There are a few key rules: Usernames must contain at least one letter, to prevent all-number or symbol-based handles. Usernames can't start with ' to avoid confusion with websites. A confetti animation will confirm a successful username creation. Once live, your username will appear in chats and groups in place of your phone number — especially when people don't already have your number saved. This could be particularly useful for engaging in public groups or interacting with businesses and communities. WhatsApp plans to treat username updates the same way it handles profile photo or number changes — by notifying others in a system message within chats. This ensures transparency and helps contacts keep up with changes. Another neat addition: the web version of WhatsApp will eventually include a tool to check username availability before you commit to one. When will it launch? As of now, there's no official release date. But the fact that development strings are already showing up in recent beta builds is a strong indicator that the feature could be coming soon — part of a string of recent updates including the long-awaited release of WhatsApp's iPad app. With usernames, WhatsApp is taking a clear step toward more private and flexible communication, while catching up with its competitors in the modern messaging space.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
WhatsApp to introduce usernames? Here's what you need to know
Soon, you may no longer need to give out your phone number to chat on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is working on a long-anticipated feature: usernames — allowing people to connect with others without sharing their actual phone numbers. This brings WhatsApp closer to platforms like Telegram and Signal, which have long offered similar privacy-centric options. According to findings from WABetaInfo (via Tecnoblog), traces of the feature were recently discovered in the TestFlight beta version for iOS. While it's not yet live for testers, WhatsApp appears to be building the system's framework and interface in the background. The introduction of usernames could mark a significant privacy milestone for WhatsApp, giving users greater control over who sees their personal information. Instead of displaying a phone number by default, the app will soon allow people to identify one another via unique handles. How will it work? Initial details reveal that users will be able to create a unique username consisting of lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. There are a few key rules: Usernames must contain at least one letter, to prevent all-number or symbol-based handles. Usernames can't start with " to avoid confusion with websites. A confetti animation will confirm a successful username creation. Once live, your username will appear in chats and groups in place of your phone number — especially when people don't already have your number saved. This could be particularly useful for engaging in public groups or interacting with businesses and communities. WhatsApp plans to treat username updates the same way it handles profile photo or number changes — by notifying others in a system message within chats. This ensures transparency and helps contacts keep up with changes. Another neat addition: the web version of WhatsApp will eventually include a tool to check username availability before you commit to one. When will it launch? As of now, there's no official release date. But the fact that development strings are already showing up in recent beta builds is a strong indicator that the feature could be coming soon — part of a string of recent updates including the long-awaited release of WhatsApp's iPad app. With usernames, WhatsApp is taking a clear step toward more private and flexible communication, while catching up with its competitors in the modern messaging space.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
WhatsApp IOS update: Latest update lets you copy the text you need
WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature in its latest iOS update that allows iPhone users to copy specific portions of text within messages, enhancing precision and user control. The update, available in version 25.16.81, enables users to highlight and copy select words or phrases rather than the entire message, a function long requested by users. Previously, WhatsApp only allowed full-message copying, which often meant manually editing text after pasting. To use the feature, users must update WhatsApp via the App Store. Once updated, they can press and hold any message, highlight the desired text, and tap "Copy" to save only that portion. iPhone users can now copy just parts of WhatsApp messages 🤳 With the iOS 25.16.81 update, simply hold a message and select the exact text you want — Waivly | (@Waivly) June 2, 2025 The feature works across individual chats, group conversations, and channels. The move streamlines referencing specific information—such as dates, names or quotes—without the need to extract it from longer messages manually. In addition to partial text selection, the update introduces a 'text detection' tool. This feature allows users to copy text directly from images received in WhatsApp chats. It's supported on iPhones running iOS 16 or later and uses native iOS functionality to identify and extract visible text from images. WhatsApp has historically offered iOS users early access to certain features, such as pinch-to-zoom during video calls and the ability to add a participant to an ongoing call directly from a chat window. Its official beta channel also released an update on iOS, with version 25.17.10.75 now available on TestFlight. WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.17.10.75 update is available on TestFlight. — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) June 2, 2025 The absence of selective text copying had been a notable gap for iPhone users, now resolved with this update. While this release is currently limited to iOS, similar features may soon be introduced for Android users. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, is reportedly working toward harmonising the feature set across platforms to ensure a consistent messaging experience.
Digital Trends
4 days ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
WhatsApp looks set to roll out a long-awaited feature
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that will allow users to create a username for their account, eliminating the need to show their phone number when connecting with other users. The feature, first reported by WABetaInfo (via Tecnoblog), was spotted in the code of a recent iOS update released via the TestFlight beta Program. WABetaInfo noted that the feature is currently in development and is not yet available for beta testing. Recommended Videos Being able to create a username instead of giving your phone number is both a security measure and a personalization feature, enabling users to express their identity uniquely while at the same time maintaining privacy. According to WABetaInfo's findings, WhatsApp will lay out some rules around how you'll be able to select a username, in a bid to ensure consistency and security. For example, to prevent other users from thinking they're communicating with an official website, you won't be able to create a name that starts with 'www'. Nor will you be able to end a name with a domain like '.com'. For a cleaner look, WhatsApp account names will have to be created in lower case letters, with numbers, periods, and underscores also allowed. Additionally, your WhatsApp username will have to contain at least 3 characters and cannot exceed 30. 'Once a username that meets all the above criteria is chosen by the user, a confirmation screen will appear,' WABetaInfo said in its report. 'This screen includes a celebratory animation with confetti, and it will confirm that the username has been successfully linked to the user's account. From that moment on, people who do not have the user's phone number will see the username instead, both when initiating a new conversation and within group chats.' To reiterate, the feature is under development and is likely to come as part of a future update to WhatsApp, hopefully before too long. The new feature would bring WhatsApp in line with other messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram, which both require phone numbers to register but allow users to connect via a username rather than the account's phone number. WhatsApp hit the headlines again recently with the long-awaited launch of an iPad version of its messaging service. As you'd expect, WhatsApp for iPad offers multi-tasking features such as Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager, bringing a more productive, as well as pleasant, user experience.
Mint
27-05-2025
- Mint
Is WhatsApp for iPad finally coming? Platform drops THIS hint, sparking launch speculation
After years of anticipation, WhatsApp may finally be gearing up to launch a dedicated app for iPad users. The Meta-owned messaging giant has dropped a subtle hint that has reignited speculation across the tech community. The buzz began when WhatsApp responded to a user query on X about the absence of an iPad version. The reply was brief—just an "eye" emoji—but it was enough to spark excitement among millions who've been waiting for native iPad support. Notably, the reaction was swift. Users flooded the post with comments, with many expressing disbelief that the app is still not available on Apple's best-selling tablet. Some also highlighted the lack of Apple Watch compatibility, adding to growing calls for broader support across Apple's ecosystem. One comment read, 'Can't believe there's no Apple Watch support though,' while another added, 'If it can port to the Mac, I have no idea how it's not yet on the iPad.' While WhatsApp has yet to provide a release date or official confirmation, its cryptic post suggests the company is listening closely to user demand. Many see it as a sign that the long-running beta testing period may finally be nearing its conclusion. Meta began beta testing WhatsApp for iPad nearly two years ago through Apple's TestFlight programme. Although the beta has since reached capacity, testers have reported that the app runs smoothly and offers a user experience comparable to the Mac version. This has led to renewed optimism that a public launch is imminent. The iPad app is expected to offer full native functionality, including "Companion Mode"—a feature that allows the app to function independently of an iPhone. It will maintain the platform's hallmark end-to-end encryption and is likely to take advantage of the iPad's larger display, supporting improved multitasking and richer media viewing. Though no official timeline has been confirmed, the convergence of social media hints, positive beta feedback, and persistent user demand points to a possible launch in the near future.
