WhatsApp has introduced a new Secret Code feature designed to enhance privacy for locked chats, enabling users to conceal these conversations behind a specific passcode. This announcement comes alongside reports of various other features currently under development on the platform. Notably, WhatsApp is planning to reinstate its “View Once” photos and videos functionality for both WhatsApp Web and the desktop application. Additionally, a feature allowing users to search by username, reminiscent of what Telegram offers, is also in the works. Further reports indicate that WhatsApp may soon enable users to share their status updates directly with Instagram.
WABetaInfo, a prominent WhatsApp feature tracker, reported that the messaging service is developing an optional feature enabling users to post their WhatsApp statuses to Instagram. This functionality was observed in the recent WhatsApp beta for Android update version 2.23.25.20 on the Google Play Store. Users already have the capability to share their statuses on Facebook, and this upcoming feature is anticipated to be quite similar.
Captured in a screengrab by WABetaInfo, the sharing options for Facebook and Instagram statuses appear together within the Status Privacy settings. Users will have the flexibility to turn this feature on or off, similar to the existing Facebook sharing option. Although WhatsApp is expected to roll out this feature for all users at some point, a specific date for its release has not been disclosed.
According to the report, users will also have the ability to manage the audience for their shared WhatsApp Status, mirroring the functionality of Instagram Stories. Once this feature is operational, it is poised to facilitate the sharing of content and potentially enhance the consistency of material shared across both platforms.
This forthcoming integration aims to streamline the sharing process, allowing users to forgo the need to take screenshots of their statuses for posting on Instagram. It is anticipated that this will particularly benefit individuals who typically create distinct WhatsApp Statuses and Instagram Stories for the same information, as they can now share across both platforms with a single action.
