WhatsApp also wants to be an office app: a screen sharing function arrives

In order not to fall behind in the competitive field of video calls, WhatsApp is testing a new function to share the mobile screen. In this way, he plans to add one of most used tools on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.

And while there are some Android users testing it out, there’s no word on when it will be officially released. What is there is information on how to take advantage of it.

This new option, according to reports from WABetaInfo, will look like one more button from the bottom panel when making a call or video call. It will be next to the Turn On Camera feature with a phone icon next to an arrow.

To activate the famous “screen sharing” just press this button. After that, a warning pops up, which you have to accept and after this you will finally share your screen.

“WhatsApp will have access to all information visible on the screen or played by the device during the recording or broadcast. This includes data such as passwords, payment information, photos, messages and audio played,” the notice states.

Among the points that have not yet been clarified is whether, when sharing the mobile screen from WhatsApp, everything will be logged automatically. Nor is it possible to choose whether or not to record the presentation.

Also, if the screen sharing action is directed by the owner of the mobile, he will have full control to stop playback and start it only with his consent.

It remains to be seen how privacy will work when using this option. That is, if end-to-end encryption is maintained, there will be an option to limit the windows the other user can see, notification visibility, screenshot blocking, and call recording options.

WhatsApp in the workplace

What is clear is that its developers intend to expand the use of this messaging software to environments work or academicwhere there are other platforms that offer better possibilities.

In turn, everything seems to indicate that the option is only being tested on Android. There are no clues as to when it might start rolling in the iPhone environment.

The site warns that this tool may “not work on large group calls” and that the recipient will also need to update the app to the latest version.

Those who have already tried it confirm these flaws in some scenarios. Especially when there are more than 6 people on the screen.

And although the opening date is unknown, the fact that it is in full testing phase means that its launch will not be extended in time.

The feature started appearing in version 2.23.11.19 of the WhatsApp beta for Google’s mobile operating system.

Another novelty that has been seen in the recent Android beta has been a reorganization in the navigation bar, changing the order in which the tabs appear, which is now the following: Chats, Calls, Community and Status, changing the priority of calls, which are originally in the last square.