WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature designed to enhance user experience on WhatsApp Web by enabling easier access to media management. This forthcoming unified media browser aims to streamline the way users access and organize all media sent and received via the platform. A similar feature is already available for users of WhatsApp on Android and iOS, which consolidates media across various chats and groups on mobile devices.
Enhancements to WhatsApp Web’s Media Management
According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, a newly spotted “chat media hub” is in the works for WhatsApp Web, although specific details about the version and timeline for release remain undisclosed. This centralized hub is intended to provide users with a unified view of all the media exchanged on the platform, streamlining the process of locating images, videos, and other files.
WABetaInfo was able to activate the user interface of this feature and provided a screenshot that illustrates what users might anticipate from the new chat media hub. Upon launching the hub, users will have access to a collection of images, videos, and GIFs from all their chats.
The new hub will also incorporate two additional tabs dedicated to showcasing links and documents from all conversations. In contrast to the media viewer that presents content in a grid format, the documents and links tab will offer supplementary context, such as sender information and the date of transmission.
The feature tracker further notes that the media hub will allow for batch actions, enabling users to select multiple items for downloading, forwarding, or deletion. Additionally, it will include a search function and sorting options that facilitate organizing content by size or date.
This unified chat media hub presents significant advantages, especially in enabling users to swiftly identify and delete large media files, thus reclaiming storage space on their devices. It also simplifies the search for specific media, links, or documents, particularly when users may not remember the details of when or where they were sent or received.
While it remains uncertain whether the media hub will exclude content from locked chats or if users will need to enter a passcode for access, further insights about the feature are expected as it moves towards a beta testing phase.
