Explained: How WhatsApp users will be able to use voice recordings as status update – Times of India

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp keeps updating the service with new features to improve the user experience. Some of these features have already been rolled out for end users while beta testers are still testing others. One such feature that WhatsApp is currently testing is the ability to share voice notes via status updates. According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is rolling out a new update (version 2.23.2.8.) through the Google Play Beta Program. The latest update will add the mentioned ability to some selected beta testers. This feature has been under development since September 2022.
WhatsApp voice recordings as status updates: How it works
This feature will enable users to share a voice note as a status update. These voice notes can be shared only with a certain audience configured within the user’s privacy settings. The latest WhatsApp feature will be available to beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.2.8 update available on the Google Play Store.
The report also shares a screenshot to demonstrate how this feature will work. Eligible beta testers will be able to share voice notes as status updates by accessing the feature within the text status section. However, before doing that testers have to enable the text status section before using it.
WhatsApp will also let users have more control over their voice recordings. Users can even discard a recording before sharing it. The maximum recording time for a voice note is 30 seconds. Moreover, users also need to update their version of WhatsApp to listen to voice notes shared via status.

WhatsApp voice recordings as status updates: More details
The voice notes shared as status updates will also be end-to-end encrypted. This will ensure that only the contacts that users choose within their privacy settings will be able to access them. Just like images and videos, voice notes shared via status will also disappear after 24 hours.
However, users will also be able to delete voice notes for everyone after they have been posted as status updates. These abilities will help users to always stay in control over what they share. This feature is expected to be rolled out to more users over the coming weeks.
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