Voice messages have been a staple feature of WhatsApp for years now. And so have voice calls. But also video calls. Spot what’s missing in this series? Indeed, video messages. Well, they were missing, up until today that is.
WhatsApp finally supports sending and receiving video messages. These can be up to 60 seconds long each, and are protected with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.
Sending a video message has been made intentionally similar to the way sending a voice message works, so that there isn’t an additional learning curve. The icon previously meant for voice messages can now be tapped in order to go into video message mode. Then you simply hold it and record just as with voice messages, and when you release it gets sent. You can also swipe up to lock and record the video without needing to keep the button pressed – again, just like with voice messages.
Videos play automatically on mute when opened in a chat, and tapping on a video while it’s playing will start (and then toggle) the sound. Video messages are now rolling out and will be available to all of WhatsApp’s users “in the coming weeks”.
