Key Takeaways:
WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging platform owned by Meta, is working on a new feature that will enable users to share files between iOS and Android devices without the need for an internet connection.
WhatsApp’s “Nearby Share” Enables Cross-Platform File Transfer Between iOS And Android
The feature dubbed “Nearby Share”, which works similarly to AirDrop on iPhones, had been in development for Android and has now appeared in the beta version of WhatsApp for iOS.
Nearby Share offers a practical means of file sharing, where users can transfer documents, photos, videos, and other files to nearby devices – including iOS and Android phones. While the feature automatically detects devices in close vicinity on Android, iOS users will need to scan a QR code to initiate file transfers.
Tech analysts say the extra effort on iOS could be a security measure to prevent the iPhone from receiving malicious files. Others suggest that it could be due to Apple imposing limitations for cross-platform file sharing on its devices.
It is currently available for iOS in the WhatsApp beta for iPhone version 24.15.10.70. According to WABetaInfo notes, the final version of Nearby Share for the iPhone is expected to work just as it does on an Android.
Nearby Share Is Particularly Useful In Areas With Less Network Coverage
WhatsApp users will soon be able to quickly share larger files, from photos to videos, without an active internet connection. However, the beta does not provide much information on the tool’s file size cap.
Nearby Share is particularly useful when the user is in an area with no WiFi or bad mobile service, making it easier for them to transfer important documents in such situations. There are reports that it will facilitate cross-platform sharing, enabling smooth data transfer across iOS and Android devices.
WhatsApp is yet to announce a release date for the feature as it is in its early stages of development and the schedule could alter. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how this file-sharing functionality will fit into the routine of the app’s active users.
Nearby Share could be a boon for Android users, where features like the iPhone’s AirDrop are less well-known. Nearby Share was the name Google previously used for its version of the AirDrop. The moniker was dropped after Google Nearby Share merged with Samsung’s Quick Share.
WABetaInfo says Nearby Share will have end-to-end encryption, just like the messages, to protect the files sent through it. With the feature said to work across different platforms, it could be far superior to Apple’s Airdrop, which only supports the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Meta is reportedly fine-tuning the tool’s final design and ironing out details regarding permissions and privacy measures. As the company continues testing the feature, certain aspects will require readjustments and may not make it to the full version.
WhatsApp Is Also Testing Real-Time Message Translation And Prompt-Based Image Generation Features
Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also experimenting with several new features for the Meta AI chatbot, like editing photos using text prompts and generating 3D avatars from uploaded photos. Another upcoming feature could allow users to translate messages into different languages within the app.
WABetaInfo says the translation tool works directly on the device with WhatsApp installed, preserving local data and avoiding any transmission to external servers. Rumors suggest the feature could take advantage of Google Translate’s real-time translation capabilities.
If you want to test out Nearby Share, head over to the Google Play Store or Apple’s TestFlight to download the latest beta version of WhatsApp.
Read more: Samsung’s Galaxy Ring Will Work With All Android Phones And Could Soon Come To The iPhone
