WhatsApp will allow users to show the content of the screen to the people they communicate with via video calls, accessing the new screen sharing feature.
Meta is preparing a new WhatsApp feature that will allow users to show the content of their screen to the people they are chatting with in video calling sessions. The WhatsApp developer is thus trying to recover the ground lost to dedicated video conferencing services, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, offering users the same advantages from the “comfort” of an application with which they can contact anyone, just based on their phone number.
The new screen sharing function comes in addition to well-established options, such as switching between the main and front cameras without interrupting the video session, the Mute and Disable video options, very useful in the case of video conference sessions.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.15: what’s new?
WhatsApp is working on a feature to set up a WhatsApp username, and it will be available in a future update of the app!https://t.co/2yMpvlvkdo pic.twitter.com/s60sQdy9jP
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 24, 2023
The way to use it is as simple as possible, with a new button appearing next to the usual options for switching the camera and turning off the video. In addition to the message “Start recording or casting with WhatsApp?” an information with legal implications will also appear, announcing that after accessing this function, WhatsApp will have access to passwords, pictures and possible details of bank cards, exchanged during the screen sharing session. Only after accepting this condition, you will be able to use the “Start now” button to access this function within the ongoing video call.
Another possible limitation could be that the screen sharing feature will not work with every version of Android. Moreover, current tests are limited to users already enrolled in the Android Beta testing program.
