WhatsApp seems to have plans to become the most feature-rich messaging app out there, after years of spending time being on the opposite end of the spectrum and lacking even some basic functionality. Recently, the beta version of WhatsApp for iOS was updated with a new method of switching between voice and video message mode inside chats, and the app has now received the same update for Android devices.
WhatsApp added the ability to record video messages a few months back and enabled switching between voice and video messages by tapping the voice recording icon that's present in every chat. Now, it is changing how the latter works. In the latest WhatsApp beta, tapping the voice icon doesn't instantly switch between voice and video mode.
Instead, doing so now brings up a pop-up menu showing both options and requires the user to select the one they want. This basically adds an extra step for switching from voice to video messages and back again, which should help reduce the chances of the user changing modes by accident.
The new WhatsApp beta has version number 2.23.22.5 and doesn't seem to include any other changes or features. It can be downloaded from the Play Store by those who are in the WhatsApp beta program. The non-beta WhatsApp app will get the new method of switching between voice and video messages eventually, though there's no way to be sure how long users will have to wait.