WhatsApp

WhatsApp gets advanced search mode, linked devices feature in latest Android beta update

WhatsApp has released a new Android beta update and it reportedly leaks some of the upcoming features that the social giant may be working on. This latest WhatsApp v2.20.196.8 beta for Android gives us a glimpse on two anticipated features – advanced search mode and multiple device support. WhatsApp has been reported to be working on the ability to let one account run on multiple devices, and this latest beta gives us a glimpse on how the UI will look like, and what it may be possibly called. Furthermore, advanced search mode has also been in the works since a while, and this new beta shows some UI improvements that the company has made for the feature.

WABetaInfo has dug inside the latest WhatsApp v2.20.196.8 beta for Android to uncover some new features that the social messaging app may be working on. The first one to be spotted was the heavily rumoured multiple device feature. Screenshots of this feature show WhatsApp is actively working to create the UI for this multiple device feature. Based on the screenshots, WhatsApp may be calling it ‘Linked Devices' and it is accessed through the three dots icon found on the top right of the screen. This feature will let you use your WhatsApp account on multiple devices, without having to log out of one - which is the case currently. The social giant is working to allow four devices to sync at once, the tracker reports.

The new ‘Linked Devices' feature should also sync data across devices for seamless accessibility. This new Linked Devices section will help the user to add a new device and, like the current WhatsApp Web/Desktop section, it reports all linked devices to your WhatsApp account. This feature is currently under development and cannot be seen even when you've installed the latest beta.

Furthermore, WhatsApp v2.20.196.8 beta for Android also reportedly reveals UI improvements for the work-in-progress advanced search mode. WABetaInfo has shared a screenshot that shows how this feature may work, allowing users to narrow down their search to photos, videos, links, GIFs, audio, and even documents. This feature was recently spotted in April in WhatsApp v2.20.117 beta for Android. This feature is also still under development and may not be seen even if you're on the latest beta version.

HIGHLIGHTS

• WhatsApp is rumored to be working on the multi-device support.
• WhatsApp is also designing a UI to manage all Linked devices.
• The multi-device support is a feature that lets users log in from four different devices using a single account.

Since time immemorial, there have been reports claiming that WhatsApp is working on enabling multi-device support. Although many beta updates have shown the traces of the most-anticipated feature, WhatsApp hasn’t made any official announcement about the same. However, in the latest 2.20.196.8. Android beta update, WhatsApp has received two new features including the Linked devices and advanced mode feature.

As per a WAbetainfo report, WhatsApp is rumored to be working on the multi-device support but the latest update shows that the Facebook-owned messaging app is also designing a UI to manage all Linked devices. This means that in the days to come, users will not only get the multi-device support but also get a separate option to manage all the devices that are linked

The screenshots shared by the WhatsApp features tracker shows that the linked devices option will be available in the settings menu. When you tap on “Linked Devices” if you will get to see the devices that are linked to your account and for how long. The user will get an option to log the device out and also link a new device if need be.

For the unversed, multi-device support is a feature that lets users log in from four different devices using a single account. This means that you can use WhatsApp from your iPad, MacBook, and Apple iPhone at the same time without having to create separate accounts for all the devices. This feature is under-development and there has been not been any official word by the company about the same.

“WhatsApp is testing this possibility with 4 devices and the feature is still under development. In the meantime, WhatsApp is working to create a UI to manage all Linked devices, “ the report by Wabetainfo read.

Apart from the linked devices feature, the advanced search mode was also spotted in the latest beta update. As reported earlier, the advanced search mode lets users search for specific items like video, pictures, files, links, audios and even Gifs. The feature is also under development and once the testing phase is over WhatsApp might make it official.

The feature can only be seen by the beta testers in the latest Android 2.20.196.8 beta version but if you are unable to spot the update on Play Store, you will have to refresh it to see the latest update. The non-beta users will have to wait a little longer because they will only get the features when it is officially rolled out by WhatsApp.

Multi-device support could soon be coming to WhatsApp. One of the beta versions of iOS has implemented a new feature that asks users for a registration code. Once enabled, this feature could allow you to use WhatsApp on multiple devices using the same account.

WABetaInfo discovered this feature on WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.19.120.20. When you log in on a new device, WhatsApp usually asks for a verification code that you must have already set earlier. In the beta version, the app notifies that a registration code was requested for your account. A notification pop-up also appeared in this version even though it hasn’t been enabled yet.

As per another report by WABetaInfo, in the latest WhatsApp beta for android 2.19.345, there is a minor change in the UI. The photo icon of the camera has reportedly been replaced by an image. This is a very minor change that might go unnoticed for many.

this feature on WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.19.120.20. When you log in on a new device, WhatsApp usually asks for a verification code that you must have already set earlier. In the beta version, the app notifies that a registration code was requested for your account. A notification pop-up also appeared in this version even though it hasn’t been enabled yet.

As per another report by WABetaInfo, in the latest WhatsApp beta for android 2.19.345, there is a minor change in the UI. The photo icon of the camera has reportedly been replaced by an image. This is a very minor change that might go unnoticed for many.

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