WhatsApp confirms this ‘new mode’ for video calls on iPhones – Times of India

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp has confirmed that it is working on a picture-in-picture mode for video calls on iPhones. The mode lets users open up other apps while they are on a video call. In a blogpost, the company also listed improvements to calling on WhatsApp this year.
“Picture in Picture on iOS: Now in beta testing and rolling out in the new year, easily multitask while on a call thanks to a minimised in-call video screen,” WhatsApp said.
What is picture-in-picture mode
Picture-in-picture (PiP) mode shrinks a video into a small player allowing users to keep watching it while they are using other apps on the smartphone. It is a floating window which means you can move around the player around your device’s screen and position as per convenience.
PiP mode spotted on iPhones
The feature was first spotted earlier this month by WABetaInfo, a platform that beta tests WhatsApp features.
The feature was made available to some beta testers via WhatsApp beta for iOS 22.24.0.79 update from the TestFlight app. The platform also says that the features use official iOS APIs allowing users to temporarily hide the video call view if they want.

WABetaInfo also noted that the feature is working on at least iOS 16.1 and later versions.
Other WhatsApp calling features
WhatsApp also listed other features it launched during the year. These include ability to do video calls with up to 32 people, message or mute call individual participants while on video calls, and ‘call links’ feature to invite people to a group call by sharing a call link.
As far as design changes are concerned, WhatsApp brought colourful waveforms to identify who is speaking if the participants’ cameras are off and in-call banner notifications to see when someone new joins a group call. “As always, all calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default to protect people’s privacy and safety,” the company said.