WhatsApp tests a ‘handy’ video call feature for iPhone users: What is it – Times of India

The Meta-owned popular instant messaging service, WhatsApp keeps on developing and testing new features for its users. WhatsApp is available on desktops, Android and iOS devices and the company is now reportedly testing a new feature for the iOS client of the messaging service. TestFlight beta program is a project that allows iOS beta testers to try out new features before they reach the end users. The company has submitted a new update through this program which has brought WhatsApp on iOS to version 22.24.0.79. According to WABetaInfo, this new update has added a handy video call feature for WhatsApp users on iPhone. With this version, a few selected beta testers will be able to use a picture-in-picture mode for video calls.
WhatsApp on iOS picture-in-picture mode for video calls: Availability
This new video calling feature will be available to beta testers who will install the latest WhatsApp beta version for iOS 22.24.0.79 update from the TestFlight app. More iOS users are expected to receive this feature over the coming days.
WhatsApp on iOS picture-in-picture mode for video calls: How it works
The report offers a screenshot to explain how this feature will work on iOS. As per the report, with this feature, iPhone users will be able to use other apps while placing a video call on WhatsApp.
Beta testers who want to discover if the feature has been already enabled for their WhatsApp account can try doing the same. If the feature is enabled, a picture-in-picture view will show up immediately when you multitask with other apps during a video call.
Moreover, this feature uses official iOS APIs, so users can also temporarily hide the video call view if they want.

The report also mentions that this feature is compatible with iOS 15 and above. Nonetheless, the report didn’t share any details about it currently being enabled for users on iOS 15.
After testing the feature, the report claims that this feature is currently working on at least iOS 16.1 and later. So, this may be one of the features offered by the update that brings official support for iOS 16, the report notes.

In other news, WhatsApp is also testing some new features with its latest Android beta version. The company has recently released some improvements to recognise WhatsApp for Android as a companion device and is also testing the ability to search for messages by date.