WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature for its Android app aimed at giving users enhanced control over the quality of media files that are automatically downloaded to their devices. Insights from a feature tracker suggest that the messaging platform may soon offer options to select between standard and high-definition (HD) quality settings. This new functionality was identified within a beta version of the Android app and is currently accessible to certain beta testers.
WABetaInfo, a reliable source for WhatsApp features, has indicated that Meta Platforms’ messaging service is developing this capability for future app iterations. The option was found in the WhatsApp Beta for Android app version 2.25.18.11, which has been marked as a compatible update.
When this feature is officially released, users will be able to find a new Auto-download quality setting within the WhatsApp configuration menu. They can navigate to Settings > Storage and data > Auto-download quality to select their preferred quality for automatic downloads of photos and videos through a pop-up menu.
According to the feature tracker, selecting the Standard quality option compresses media files to minimize their size, which simultaneously saves space on devices and facilitates faster downloads. Conversely, choosing the HD quality retains the image’s detail and resolution but requires more data for downloads and additional storage space.
If users opt for the standard setting, WhatsApp for Android is programmed to automatically download the smaller, compressed files by default. However, recipients will still have the option to access the HD version of media files by manually viewing them within the app.
This new implementation builds on the recently introduced dual-upload feature, where both standard and HD versions of files are uploaded to WhatsApp’s servers since compression cannot occur at the server level. Ultimately, the recipient only downloads the quality chosen by them.
According to WABetaInfo, the media auto-download quality feature is currently being tested by select users enrolled in the Google Play Beta programme. A broader rollout to additional users is anticipated in the coming weeks. Interestingly, similar functionalities for the iOS version of WhatsApp were also being evaluated in April, but they have not yet been implemented.
