How to update your WhatsApp for the latest features

WhatsApp has announced and launched a few new features for Android and iOS users in 2019. Here’s how you can update your WhatsApp on your phone to access these new features.

This year has seen a few new features on WhatsApp for Android and iOS phones. A month ago, the messenger app owned by Facebook, announced a fingerprint lock option that keeps nosy people from seeing your chat history. It also contains a new ‘show content in notifications’ option that allows users to decide if they want to show or hide message and sender preview when the fingerprint lock is enabled.

This fingerprint lock option is enabled in the latest version of Android beta version 2.19.221. The feature is disabled by default so users would have to activate it through their WhatsApp settings:

You can enable the fingerprint lock option by doing the following:

Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock.

This and other new features require you to update to the latest version of WhatsApp. Here’s how you can update your WhatsApp. Please note if you received a message that isn’t supported by your version of WhatsApp, you’ll need to update WhatsApp.

To update WhatsApp:

• Android: Go to the Play Store, then tap Menu  > My apps & games. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
  • Alternatively, go to the Play Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap UPDATE under WhatsApp Messenger.
• iPhone: Go to the App Store, then tap Updates. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
  • Alternatively, go to the App Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap UPDATE next to WhatsApp Messenger.
• Windows Phone 8.1: Go to the Store, then tap Menu   > my apps > WhatsApp > update.
  • Alternatively, go to the Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap WhatsApp > update.
• Windows Phone 10: Go to the Microsoft Store, then tap Menu   > My Library. Tap Update next to WhatsApp.
  • Alternatively, go to the Microsoft Store and search for WhatsApp. Tap WhatsApp > Update.
• KaiOS: Press JioStore or Store on the apps menu. Scroll to the side to select Social, then select WhatsApp. Press OK or SELECT > UPDATE.

The latest versions of WhatsApp will contain the newest features and bug fixes. Here are some features you can look forward to:

QR Code: The QR code scanning will minimise the number of steps that are currently required to add a new contact to your phone.

Dark Mode: Like in Gmail, Google Chrome and even Facebook’s Messenger, WhatsApp now has a dark mode feature that they are still working on.

WhatsApp fingerprint authentication: This will allow an extra layer of security for your app using your fingerprint.

Sharing WhatsApp status post on Facebook: You will be able to share your WhatsApp status on Facebook.

Rank your contacts: This feature will automatically rank your contacts by detecting which ones you interact with more.

Originally appeared on Southlands Sun