Captain LagbeardWhatsApp’s newest Android beta adds fun and handy features like muting incoming voice calls, turning off your camera before video calls, and reacting with emojis mid-chat!
WhatsApp is at it again—and this time, it’s adding a few updates to make our calling lives a little less awkward and a lot more fun. If you’ve ever wished you could answer a call without your mic picking up chaos from your surroundings, or if you’ve ever needed five extra seconds to look human before answering a video call, this one’s for you.
In the latest beta version for Android (2.25.10.16), WhatsApp has started testing three brand-new calling features that aim to make things smoother, quieter, and honestly, more polite. Source: WABetaInfo
Feature #1: Mute Button for Incoming Voice Calls
You’re at a bustling street corner, your dog’s barking like it owes someone money, and suddenly, your boss is calling. With the new mute button for incoming voice calls (right in the notification panel), you can answer the call and mute your mic instantly—so they hear you, not your personal zoo. Whether you’re hiding in a bathroom stall or trying to ignore a blender in full swing, this is your stealth mode.
Feature #2: Turn Off Camera Before Answering Video Calls
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been caught off guard by a video call and answered it with your face looking like it just came back from the dead. Now, thanks to WhatsApp’s “turn off camera before answering” feature, you can avoid that horrifying front-camera surprise. This one’s a lifesaver if you need a moment to brush your hair—or at least put on a shirt. And hey, if it’s a call from an unknown number? Perfect excuse to stay a mystery.
Feature #3: Real-Time Emoji Reactions in Video Calls
Sometimes, you don’t want to interrupt a convo with words. Sometimes, a well-timed “😂” or “😮” says it all. WhatsApp is now testing emoji reactions during video calls. Want to applaud without clapping? Send. Someone drops a hot take? React with. It’s like texting, but live, and without any of the commitment. A perfect way to look engaged without saying anything at all.
These features are currently in testing and only available to a limited group of Android beta users. But don’t panic—WhatsApp plans to roll them out to more users in the coming weeks. So, whether you’re team “always muted,” “camera-shy queen,” or “emoji over-talker,” your time is coming.
As always, these fun updates are part of WhatsApp’s ongoing plan to keep the app modern, convenient, and just a little more you. Stay tuned and maybe even join the beta crowd—because honestly, who doesn’t want to be the first one to mute their boss politely?
