WhatsApp animated avatars are the next big iOS feature you should know about

WhatsApp, the instant messaging app owned by Meta, is set to get a new feature that is likely to make chatting a whole lot more fun. This new feature is called ‘animated avatars’, but you’ll need to wait a bit to use it is first rolling out on the iOS beta app. Beta users can now see avatars with animations and share them with anyone, regardless of whether those on the receiving end are on beta version or not.

How to access WhatsApp animated avatars

To access animated avatars, users can open the keyboard on a chat window on their app, and select the avatar tab, to see if it is enabled for their account yet. The feature is rolling out to beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta app for iOS. It is expected to gradually roll out to the broader user base in the coming days.

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Animated avatars on WhatsApp are however a bit limited at this moment. But users are likely to get the full set of animated avatars by the time the feature is rolled out to all users. These avatars are being introduced with the aim to enhance overall user experience.

Other new features to look out for

WhatsApp recently also introduced several other new features on its app. Some of these include support for switching to landscape mode during video calls, and also the option to automatically silence calls from unknown numbers. Additionally, it also unveiled an updated sticker tray with a reworked navigation mechanism and updates to its sticker collection.

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WhatsApp also introduced a feature for iOS beta users that allows them to share high-quality videos. However, a little compression is still applied to videos, even though their dimensions are maintained. Videos, therefore, can’t quite be sent in their original quality on the app, just yet. Furthermore, users for now, are required to manually select the option to send a high-quality video, each time they’re sharing one with their contacts.