WhatsApp update will soon let you share photos and files without internet

WhatsApp has been working on new features to take the capabilities of the popular messaging app further since years now. Abilities like screen sharing and animated emojis have brought the app closer to rival messaging apps like Telegram. However, that hasn’t stopped WhatsApp from working on new, innovative features. The latest of these is the ability to share files with nearby peers, completely offline.

Still under beta, the feature is set to allow WhatsApp users to share files locally with nearby peers using nothing but a local wireless connection and Bluetooth connectivity, similar to how services like AirDrop and Quick Share work.

How the WhatsApp feature will work?

Spotted by WABetaInfo, the report suggests that the instant messaging platform is actively working on the feature, which will allow sharing of all kinds of files, and not just photos and videos.

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The feature is also expected to work across smartphones with WhatsApp installed, irrespective of whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone. Although this has not been explicitly confirmed just yet.

The report also adds that the locally shared files will be end-to-end encrypted, adding to their safety. The encryption should prevent any unauthorised access to the shared files.

Leaked screenshots suggest that devices that want to make use of this feature will need to give the app some permissions which they otherwise may not have already granted. This includes access to Bluetooth devices as well as the ability to scan and search for nearby devices for the file sharing aspect.

Thankfully, users who do not want to participate, will have the option to turn the feature (and its recognition services) off on their smartphones. Other permissions include access to system files and your local photo gallery, which aren’t exactly surprising.

When will this WhatsApp feature roll out?

The feature is currently in beta, which means only those with access to beta versions of the messaging app will get to see the feature. However, for actual usage, one will have to wait for a wider rollout on the stable channel of the app, which could take anywhere between weeks to months. This depends on how quickly WhatsApp can perfect the implementation and iron out any bugs.

For now, users who want any local file sharing ability can continue to use services like AirDrop on iPhones, while Android phones have a plethora of third-party services to choose from in addition to native solutions like Nearby Share/Quick Share.