The WhatsApp development team has been working on a way to allow users to edit messages for at least a year now. This feature was spotted in previous WhatsApp beta builds dating back to as early as June 2022 (at least). Now, the message edit feature may have entered its final development stages.
The option to edit WhatsApp messages was spotted once again in a recent beta build for Android (2.23.10.10). This time, the feature appears to have gained the ability to show a pop-up that lets users know they have successfully edited a message. (via WaBetaInfo)
This feature has been in development for a long time now, so there's no way to be sure when it might exit the beta stages and go live publicly for all WhatsApp users. However, in the beta builds, this feature appears to have been fleshed out well enough to be a candidate for a public release. WaBetaInfo notes that this latest pop-up message component added with WhatsApp beta version 2.23.10.10 might be the last one needed before the edit message feature goes live in stable builds.
Another recent WhatsApp beta build suggests that the app may also gain a local chat transfer option soon. This feature would allow users to transfer their chats between two devices via Wi-Fi Direct after establishing a secure connection through a QR code.
