Three huge WhatsApp updates coming to your phone this year revealed
WHATSAPP is forever tinkering with its chat app, rolling out new features to keep things fresh for its 2billion-strong user base.
As the US messaging behemoth tests new tools and settings, it rolls them out to a small group of people as part of "beta" tests.
Some websites, such as , are members of WhatsApp's fabled beta programme, and promptly share whatever they find.
It means fans can get wind of upcoming WhatsApp features long before they're released to the average user.
We've put together a list of some of the most exciting tools spotted by beta rummagers in recent weeks.
Keep in mind that a feature appearing in beta does not necessarily mean that it'll make it to general release.
However, early versions of the app are generally a good barometer for what users can expect to land on their phones, tablets and PC in the coming months.
1. Better protection from hackers
WhatsApp has come up with a new way to keep hackers out of your chats amid a raft of scams.
A growing number of users have lost their account or been conned by fraudsters using the app, so developers are looking to beef up your defences.
It's a problem that could get worse with new multi-device support in the works.
This will allow people to use the app on their computer desktop or web without needing their phone nearby or even turned on.
With this in mind, WhatsApp's owners Meta want to introduce two-step verification.
It's something we've already seen on mobile for a while, but according to the feature is coming to desktop and web next.
It was launched last week in the newest beta (version 22.2.72) of the app – a work-in-progress sent out to testers before launch – on iOS.
According to WABeta info, a new “reactions notifications” option appears under WhatsApp’s notifications settings in version 22.2.72.
It almost always meant losing your chat history, which is far from ideal.
Then late last year, WhatsApp added the ability for iPhone owners to migrate their chats to Samsung phones – and then Google Pixel devices soon after.
So rather than having a fresh start on WhatsApp, you could move chats across.
Sadly, it still doesn't work in reverse. If you're switching from Android to iPhone, you lose your chats.
But WhatsApp sleuths at have discovered a new importing tool.
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