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After a long Christmas break, WhatsApp has now submitted a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.19.3 version.

Let’s find out together what is new ..

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Authentication feature is not available now.

feature is not available now. WhatsApp is working in order to add this feature, adding new improvements in the next updates. It’s not available yet for development reasons and the feature needs to get many other improvements before to be enabled for everyone.

For this reason, it’s ok if you have updated your WhatsApp version and it’s not working for you seen that the feature is under development.

AUTHENTICATION FEATURE

After working to implement Face ID and Touch ID features on iOS (that aren’t available yet for development reasons), WhatsApp has finally started to work on the Authentication feature on Android, using your Fingerprint!

Let’s explain how it will work.

WhatsApp is currently working on a new section in their app, where the user will be able to enable the Fingerprint feature.

It exactly works like on iOS (as mentioned above, it will be available in future on iOS too): enabling the Fingerprint feature, the app will be completely protected, so the user will need to authenticate his identity in order to open WhatsApp (from the app icon, from the notification or from external pickers). It will protect the entire app, so it’s not used to lock specific conversations.

As you can see in this screenshot, it is also possible to use your device credentials, if WhatsApp is unable to detect your fingerprint.

This feature is in an alpha stage of development and it will be available in future for any Android user having Android Marshmallow (and newer) and a fingerprint sensor. No ETA available.

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NEW AUDIO PICKER

From 2.19.1: as shown on Twitter, WhatsApp is working to improve the Audio Picker.

WhatsApp beta for Android 2.19.1: WhatsApp is working on a new redesigned section to send audio files to contacts.

It supports audio preview and image preview of the audio file (if available).

Max 30 audio messages at a time.

FEATURE AVAILABLE IN FUTURE! pic.twitter.com/5hCIavpCcU — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) January 7, 2019

The new redesigned section will list all available audio files stored in your phone. The user will be able to play the audio before sending it, and it is also possible to select more audio files to send!

The feature is under development, so it will be available in future.

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GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS

From 2.19.2: the update brings new fixes and improvements. In particular, the 2.19.2 update detects if there are some issues to use the Sticker feature: the developers explain that, sometimes, the phone’s battery saver mode might block WhatsApp to access stickers apps, preventing the user to send stickers.

In this situation, WhatsApp asks to disable the battery saver feature from the Android Settings.

Let us know on Twitter if you like this feature and read our next announcements on our Telegram Channel!

WABetaInfo has a Discord Server about WhatsApp, where you can chat, give advice, ask help to other participants and read my announcements!