WhatsApp is one of the biggest messaging apps in the world, especially after it was acquired by Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, gaining millions of active users around the world each month.

WhatsApp big changes coming 2021
(Photo : Christian Wiediger on Unsplash)
Changes include an auto-delete feature and in-app notification feature.

Big Changes Coming to WhatsApp

The app has been around for 12 years and until now, the developers are still updating the messaging app, adding new features now and then, and according to Entrepreneur, WhatsApp is reportedly adding six big changes to the app this year.

The report, which initially appeared in the Spanish edition of the online magazine, says that the company will continue to develop new tools and features for its users, starting with updating its Terms and Conditions.

According to the report, the changes in the Terms and Conditions of the app will appear on February 8, 2021, and it's important for users to read the new terms before agreeing.

Furthermore, the change in its terms and conditions will be accompanied by the company's release of a tool that they will use to notify its users of special announcements, as per the WABetaInfo portal.

However, the announcements won't be made via chats but will appear in-app.

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From Vacation Mode to Desktop Changes

Moreover, WhatsApp is reportedly working on a "vacation mode," which will allow users to disable and mute group chat and conversation notifications for a short time, and can be useful for people who don't want to be bothered by work-related stuff during their vacation.

Since the messaging app has also released WhatsApp Pay, the company will apparently make purchases available directly from the app.

This can be extremely useful for business owners and consumers alike.

Nevertheless, what appears to be the biggest change coming to the messaging app is the addition of calls and video calls for its desktop version since it can be useful during the pandemic when everyone is still encouraged to do meetings virtually and avoid in-person contacts.

Based on the report, the functionality is currently in beta, but many WhatsApp desktop users are anticipating its official release.

One account can also be used on four different devices, but it's still unclear whether they would include tablets and other devices, however, users are excited to know that the main smartphone does not have to be connected to the internet in the coming days as the app should work on other devices even if the main phone remains off.

Auto Delete Feature

Lastly, WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a feature that will automatically delete certain visual files, including GIFs, videos, and images, after the recipient has seen them.

The company aims to increase the software's level of privacy by doing so, plus, it can also help users conserve some space.

Nevertheless, if you want to keep certain files, it appears like users have the choice to prolong the validity of the images or videos.

This comes after the news that WhatsApp will no longer work on certain iPhone and Android devices, specifically old models that are running on iOS9 or older, as well as on Android devices running on Android 4.0.3 or older.

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Written by: Nhx Tingson

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