WhatsApp for iOS has received an update that adds a slew of useful new features to the messaging app. In this article, we list the four most important features that you can use in the latest update.
Table of Contents
What’s new in WhatsApp 2.18.90?
1. Photos in notifications
The most important improvement of the WhatsApp update is that you can view received media, such as photos and GIF images, straight from the notifications. Normally you always see the message “Photo” inside notifications.
However, from now on, you can preview photos and GIFs directly from the notifications, without opening WhatsApp every time.
It goes like this – If a friend or family member sends you a photo, you can swipe down the notification on your iPhone to view the picture immediately.
An alternative is to use 3D Touch, which works on iPhone 6s and newer – to check the photo in advance.
The feature is being rolled out slowly to every WhatsApp user and only works if your Apple device runs iOS 10 or above firmware.
2. Suspicious links notification
WhatsApp has been working on a feature that automatically recognizes suspicious links. This feature is now available and alerts you when you get a suspicious web page that is probably not what it seems.
Here’s what a suspicious link looks like –
https://ẉhatsapp.com/free-tickets
The app looks for special characters in the URL, such as “ẉ” instead of a normal “w” as shown above. If that is the case, you will receive a red “SUSPICIOUS LINK” notification in the conversation.
Hackers often use these kinds of subtle differences in signs to send you to an insecure website.
3. Wallet app support
If you use the Wallet app on your iPhone to store; for instance, loyalty cards, payment cards, and flight tickets – you can now also share your cards via WhatsApp.
This is useful, for example, if you have stored cinema tickets in the Wallet app, and you want to send them to your friends.
4. Search in status updates
Finally, there is a new function that we doubt is useful for many people. Everyone with many friends who regularly use the status function will be happy with the new search function.
It is now available in the status tab. To make the search field appear, you just need to drag the window a bit down.
The status function has also become quite controversial since recently because WhatsApp wants to start showing ads in this tab.
Download WhatsApp v2.18.90
WhatsApp is gradually rolling out version 2.18.90 rolls out via App Store. You can get the update using the download link given below.
If you are yet to receive this update, it will probably pop up on your device in a few hours from now.
Besides, the update also includes support for the iPhone 4, a device that was released back in 2010.
