WhatsApp is launching a HUGE update that will transform the way you send photos to your friends

Science
By William

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WhatsApp launches a HUGE update that changes the way you send photos to your friends – here’s what you need to know

  • WhatsApp is currently reducing the quality of photos you send by 70 percent
  • But it’s working on the ability to send high-resolution photos, leak claims

By Shivali Best for Mailonline

Updated:

Whether it’s after a beautiful wedding or a drunken night out, there are often times when you want to send your friends photos via WhatsApp.

But users will know the frustration of receiving a number of snaps, only to find that they are pixelated.

Fortunately, the days of having to AirDrop the photos will soon be a thing of the past.

WhatsApp is testing the ability to send high-resolution photos across the platform WABetaInfo.

“This feature definitely improves the user experience while sending images, and is rolling out to some beta testers!” WABetaInfo explained.

WhatsApp is testing the ability to send high-resolution photos across the platform, according to WABetaInfo

WABetaInfo saw the new feature in the latest beta versions of WhatsApp for iOS and Android - iOS 23.11.0.76 and Android 2.23.12.13 respectively

WABetaInfo saw the new feature in the latest beta versions of WhatsApp for iOS and Android – iOS 23.11.0.76 and Android 2.23.12.13 respectively

WABetaInfo spotted the new feature in the latest beta versions of WhatsApp for iOS and Android – iOS 23.11.0.76 and Android 2.23.12.13 respectively.

WhatsApp currently lowers the quality of photos you send by 70 percent by default.

While this allows for faster data transfer, it can be incredibly annoying, especially if you plan on sharing the photos on other platforms such as Instagram.

However, the beta versions of WhatsApp have a new option to adjust photo quality when sharing photos with your friends.

WABetaInfo shared a screenshot of the feature, saying, “As you can see in this screenshot, it’s possible to choose better quality when sending photos, and the option will only appear if you select a large size photo.” ‘

By default, photos will still be sent in ‘Standard quality’, but users can also select a new HD option.

“Note that this doesn’t mean you can send photos in their original quality, as this option preserves the image dimensions but still applies slight compression to the image,” explains WABetaInfo.

When a photo is sent as HD, it is marked as a high quality photo through a new tag on the message bubble.

As it stands, the new feature is limited to photos and still compresses videos before sending.

While it has yet to be rolled out to all WhatsApp users, the news is likely to thrill many fans, who regularly complain about photo quality on Twitter.

One user wrote, “Why Whatsapp reduces the quality of photos, especially screenshots, it’s so annoying that we need to do something about it ASAP.”

Another added, “WhatsApp needs to cut their shit by degrading the quality of my photos/videos.”

And one vented, “DAMN YOU WHATSAPP WHY YOU COMPRESS ALL THE PHOTOS SENT BY YOU.”

It remains unclear when the new HD photo option will roll out to all users.

BEST WHATSAPP ALTERNATIVES

If you’re considering uninstalling WhatsApp, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several alternative apps you can choose from:

1. Telegram

With over 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives.

Although it is very similar to WhatsApp, it is distinguished by the fact that it offers the possibility to set messages to self-destruct after a certain time, without leaving any trace.

Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption.

However, as a WhatsApp spokesperson pointed out, Telegram “doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption by default, so it’s not necessarily more secure than WhatsApp.”

2. Signal

Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to being open source.

This means that the code for the app is publicly available for viewing, making it nearly impossible for the app’s creators to sneak in backdoors that would allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages.

3. iMessage

If you’re using an iPhone, consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple’s own messaging app.

The app has some impressive features, including no character limits, the ability to send photos and videos, and of course Apple’s animated emoji feature, Animoji.

Unfortunately, iMessage is only available for iPhone users, so you’ll struggle to communicate with anyone using an Android device.

4. Google Messages

Google’s answer to iMessage is Google Messages, a messaging service for Android.

The app replaces your default text messaging app and integrates with all of Google’s apps and services, making it easy to share images or use the Google Assistant.

5. Facebook messenger

If you were put off using WhatsApp because of its data sharing with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you.

However, the app offers some useful features, including games, secret conversations, and video calls.

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