WhatsApp is working on an exciting new feature that will allow Android users to share motion photos in chats, groups, and channels. This development is expected to enhance the app’s media-sharing capabilities, making it easier to send animated snapshots. The feature is currently in beta testing and will roll out in a future update.
What Are Motion Photos?
Motion photos are a hybrid between static images and short video clips. When enabled, they capture a brief moment of movement before and after a photo is taken, adding an animated touch to still images. This feature is already popular on select smartphones, such as Samsung Galaxy devices (Motion Photo) and Google Pixel phones (Top Shot or Motion Photos). Apple also offers a similar feature called Live Photos for iPhones. Unlike regular photos, motion photos contain both video and audio, allowing users to relive moments more dynamically. Now, WhatsApp is working to integrate this format into its messaging platform.
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How Will Motion Photo Sharing Work?
The new feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.8.12, available on the Google Play Store. Once officially released, users will see a new button when opening the gallery overlay in WhatsApp. This button will allow them to choose between sending a standard still image or its motion photo version if available.
WhatsApp aims to make the feature seamless, ensuring that motion photos are automatically viewable in animated form for recipients. Even if the feature is not supported on their device, users will still receive the shared media, though it may appear as an unsupported file type in some cases. The feature will be compatible with individual chats, group conversations, and even WhatsApp Channels, expanding its use across different forms of communication on the platform.
Why Now?
Motion photos have been available on various smartphone brands for years, but WhatsApp is only now implementing support for them. With the increasing popularity of this format, the messaging giant appears to be aligning with user expectations. By integrating motion photos, WhatsApp is enhancing its media-sharing options to remain competitive with other messaging services. Currently, Android users can only send static images in formats like JPG and PNG. The addition of motion photo support will bring more dynamic content-sharing options to the app.
iOS and Future Rollout
While WhatsApp is now testing motion photo sharing for Android, iOS users already have access to a similar feature via Live Photos. However, WhatsApp’s approach suggests it wants to standardize motion photo support across both platforms. Once the beta testing phase is complete, the feature is expected to roll out to more users globally.
WhatsApp’s AI-Powered Profile Photos
In addition to motion photos, WhatsApp is also testing AI-generated profile photos. This feature will allow users to create personalized and unique profile pictures using generative AI technology. The AI-powered profile photo tool has begun rolling out to select users in the testing phase.
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Meanwhile, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has once again criticized WhatsApp, calling it a “cheap, watered-down version” of Telegram. Durov has long accused WhatsApp of copying features from Telegram, often backed by Meta’s vast financial resources. He believes WhatsApp introduces features that Telegram pioneered but with limited capabilities.