WhatsApp Develops Home Screen Tool for Voice Messages

WhatsApp continues to develop a new widget for the Android home screen that allows users to record and send a voice message to multiple contacts simultaneously, without needing to open the app or search for the desired conversation.

According to WABetaInfo, which spotted this development in the beta version 2.26.28.2 of WhatsApp available via the Google Play Store, the widget was first announced during a very early stage of development, with only limited details provided about its functionality at that time.

Since that initial announcement, WhatsApp has continued refining the widget and the recording screen that appears when it is tapped. The screen has become clearer and now reveals controls that were previously hidden. The app is also making progress in developing the contact selection list that appears after confirming the voice recording.

According to the available description, the widget has a default size of 3x1 on the home screen, with the option to resize it after adding it. Tapping the widget opens a new recording screen within the app, allowing users to start recording and pause it temporarily at any time if they need a short break before continuing, or to cancel the recording entirely if they change their mind.

After completing the recording, users can confirm it and proceed to the next step, where a contact selection list opens, enabling them to choose one or more recipients simultaneously. The same voice message is then sent to all selected contacts at once, without any additional steps.

The main benefit of this widget is streamlining the process that previously took longer when sending the same voice message to multiple people. The difference between the two methods can be summarized as follows:

The site emphasizes that the widget is not a mandatory replacement for the current experience, but rather an additional option for those who find it useful. It will not appear on the home screen unless the user adds it manually, just like any other widget on Android. Users who prefer to record voice messages directly within the app can continue doing so without any imposed changes.

It is worth noting that this widget is still under development and has not yet been made available to Android beta testers. WhatsApp has not announced any official timeline for its public release.