WhatsApp Introduces Screen Sharing and Landscape Mode in New Update

WhatsApp has introduced two new features for video calling on the instant messaging app. These features include screen sharing and landscape mode. With the screen sharing feature, users can share their device’s screen with other users during video calls. This functionality allows users to share documents, photos, and their shopping carts with contacts in their list.

Along with that, landscape mode can also be used on mobile during video calling. After the introduction of this feature, WhatsApp is competing with video conferencing apps like ‘Microsoft Meet,’ ‘Google Meet,’ and ‘Zoom,’ as well as Apple’s FaceTime.

WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, including its CEO Mark Zuckerberg, had provided information about this through posts on Facebook and other social media platforms. In a post on Facebook, Zuckerberg stated, “We are continuing to add the feature of sharing your screen during video calls on WhatsApp.” Along with the post, he also shared a screenshot, which shows the feature being used during a video call.

How does the screen sharing feature work?

Users will find WhatsApp’s new feature of screen sharing within the camera switch option during video calls. This feature will be active when app users grant permission for their screen sharing. With this help, users can enable or disable screen sharing whenever they like.

When you tap on the screen sharing option during a video call, you will see a warning message in WhatsApp. After that, tap on the ‘Start Now’ button. Now you can share your screen with other participants.

Previously, WABetaInfo reported that WhatsApp is testing the screen-sharing feature during video calls in the beta version 2.23.11.19. This feature aims to enhance the calling experience by allowing users to share their screens, potentially improving communication and interaction.

The screen sharing feature won’t maintain end-to-end encryption while using it. Notably, as shared by WABetaInfo, when you utilize this feature and share information with other users, WhatsApp will have access to that shared data. This includes passwords, payment details, photos, messages, and audio. Consequently, using this feature would compromise the end-to-end encryption that WhatsApp provides for its regular video calling service.

Video Message Feature Rollout

WhatsApp has recently rolled out the video message feature. With this feature, users can send short video messages. Through this feature, WhatsApp users can record real-time video messages of up to 60 seconds. The company claims that these messages will also be end-to-end encrypted.

When will users get the video message feature in the app?

Users can access the video message feature by tapping on the audio message option. When a user taps on the audio message option once, they will see the option for video messages. After selecting that option, they can press and hold to record and send a video message.

Your phone number won’t be visible in a WhatsApp group.

WhatsApp’s “Phone Number Privacy” feature is gradually becoming available. This feature prevents your phone number from being visible to anyone in a WhatsApp group. Currently, the company has made this feature available only for a limited number of beta users. After testing, it will likely be rolled out to more users.

According to WABetaInfo’s report, the “Phone Number Privacy” feature has been rolled out for both operating systems (Android and iOS). If you wish to use this feature, you will need to install the latest beta update. After the update, users will be presented with a new option to set the level of “Phone Number Privacy” within the community.

Only these people will be able to see your phone number.

The “Phone Number Privacy” feature helps WhatsApp users enhance their privacy by hiding their phone numbers in WhatsApp groups. According to reports, once this feature is enabled, users’ phone numbers will only be visible to group admins and those whose numbers are saved in their contacts list. While this privacy feature will be applicable to group members, the group admin’s number will still be visible to everyone in the group.