On July 1, WhatsApp confirmed new features to expect this month:
Today, we are excited to confirm some new features that are rolling out over the next few weeks: Animated Stickers, QR codes, Dark mode for WhatsApp web and desktop, Improvements to group video calls, Status comes to KaiOS.
In line with the announcement, the company has officially rolled out Animated Stickers and QR codes.
The QR codes rolled out on July 9, comes in as a useful feature at a time where businesses across the world prepare to re-open and expand online. As people need simple ways to get in touch with businesses to ask questions, get information or find something they might like to buy.
Parts of the blog post on New Ways to Reach a Business on WhatsApp read: “QR codes are a digital front door that make opening a chat with a business as easy as possible. Previously when people came across an interesting business, they had to add its WhatsApp number to their contacts, one number at a time. Now, people simply can scan the QR code a business displays on its storefront, product packaging or receipt to initiate a chat”.
“Scanning a QR code will open a chat with an optional pre-populated message created by the business to start the conversation. With the app’s messaging tools, businesses can quickly send back information such as their catalog to get the conversation going”.
To start using a QR code, businesses can follow these quick steps:
View your WhatsApp QR code
Android
- Open WhatsApp Business > tap More options
- Tap Business Tools > Short link.
- Tap View QR Code to view your QR code.
iPhone
- Open WhatsApp Business > Settings.
- Tap Settings > Business Tools > Short Link.
- Tap QR Code to view your QR code.
Find more on related sources here.
QR codes are available for businesses around the world using the WhatsApp Business app or WhatsApp Business API starting July 9, 2020.
This business feature encompasses Catalog sharing to discover what a business offers, and businesses can learn how to share them here.
To activate WhatsApp Dark Mode for Web and Desktop
- Visit https://web.whatsapp.com in your desktop web browser
- Then open WhatsApp on your phone > tap the menu button at the top right and select > WhatsApp web
- Use your phone to scan the QR code on your monitor, and you’ll be logged in automatically
- Finally, [on your desktop] click ‘Settings’, select ‘Theme’, and toggle the switch to ‘Dark‘.
More expected features for roll out include: Improvements to group video calls where it’s been made easier to focus on whoever you want [With now up to 8 people on a video call] by letting you press and hold to maximize a participant’s video to full screen.
WhatsApp is used by more than 2 billion people around the world and these features are available in the latest versions of WhatsApp.
