WhatsApp Testing Waveforms for Voice Messages, Removing Online Status for Business Accounts: Report

WhatsApp beta is where the instant messaging service tests its new features before rolling it out to the public.

Advertisement
By Vineet Washington | Updated: 28 June 2021 15:14 IST
Highlights
  • WhatsApp beta build 2.21.13.17 introduced voice message waveforms
  • The voice message waveforms replace the seek bar
  • WhatsApp Business accounts may no longer show online status

WhatsApp may soon get waveforms for voice messages

Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is seemingly testing waveforms for voice messages and making some changes to WhatsApp Business accounts. According to a popular WhatsApp features tracker, WhatsApp beta for Android received waveforms for voice messages with build 2.21.13.17, but due to some user complaints, it was removed temporarily to make some changes. Now, it has been found that a future update may bring waveforms while recording a voice message. Additionally, WhatsApp Business accounts will no longer show online status or ‘last seen' message under their name.

WhatsApp tracker WABetaInfo reported that the Facebook-owned instant messaging service is testing waveforms for voice messages. With beta build 2.21.13.17 on Android, WhatsApp introduced waveforms for voice messages that would replace the seek bar but the feature was pulled due to user complaints. Now, WABetaInfo has spotted in a future update that real-time waveforms will be shown while recording a voice message. This means the waves will be smaller or larger depending on how loud your voice is.

Users will also be able to listen to the voice message before sending it. This feature is currently under development on Android and iOS but there is no release timeline for it yet. WABetaInfo expects to see the waveform feature in voice messages return with the next beta build.

Advertisement

Additionally, WhatsApp is also reportedly testing some changes with online status and ‘last seen' for business accounts. It was noticed that with 2.21.13.17 beta build, business accounts on WhatsApp did not show an online status or the ‘last seen' message anymore under their name as they typically did. Instead, it only says “Business Account” under the name. WABetaInfo noted that it is still possible to see the ‘last seen' and online status from WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp for iOS and if this feature is still present with the next beta build, the changes will be made to the other version of WhatsApp as well.

Advertisement

As of now, WhatsApp has not shared any information on if and when these new features will make their way to the stable version of the app.


What were the best games at E3 2021? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Top OTT Releases of the Week: Kantara Chapter 1, Lokah Chapter 1, Idli Kadai, and More
  2. iQOO 15 Indian Variant Allegedly Surfaces on Geekbench Ahead of Launch
  3. Vivo X300 Series With 200-Megapixel Zeiss Camera Launched Globally
  4. Gemini vs Perplexity vs ChatGPT: Which Free AI Plan Is Best For You
  5. Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Pro Allegedly Listed on Geekbench With These Specs
  6. Vivo X300 Could be Available in This India-Exclusive Colourway
  7. Realme GT 8 Pro Display Specifications Teased Ahead of India Launch
  8. Realme GT 8 Pro India Launch Date Leaked: Here's When It Might Arrive
  1. OpenAI Upgrades Sora App With Character Cameos, Video Stitching and Leaderboard
  2. Samsung's AI-Powered Priority Notifications Spotted in New One UI 8.5 Leak
  3. Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Could Feature Model Slimmer Than Galaxy S25 Edge With New Name
  4. iQOO 15 Colour Options Confirmed Ahead of November 26 India Launch: Here’s What We Know So Far
  5. Vivo X300 to Be Available in India-Exclusive Red Colourway, Tipster Claims
  6. OpenAI Introduces Aardvark, an Agentic Security Researcher That Can Find and Fix Vulnerabilities
  7. Xiaomi 17, Poco F8 Series and Redmi Note 15 Listed on IMDA Certification Website Hinting at Imminent Global Launch
  8. CERT-In Warns Google Chrome Users of High-Risk Flaws on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  9. Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Now Streaming Online: Know Everything About Plot, Streaming, Cast, and More
  10. MediaTek Dimensity 8500 SoC Architecture, Specifications Leaked; Could Launch Soon
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.