WhatsApp has begun testing a feature that will allow users to quickly look up an image they have received from another user, with a couple of taps. The messaging platform has rolled out a new feature to beta testers that will adds a reverse image lookup feature for images in chats, which could help users identify manipulated media. At the moment, the feature is only available to beta testers on Android, but it is expected to be roll out to all users in the future.

WhatsApp Tests ‘Search on Web’ Image Lookup Feature on Latest Beta for Android 

With the latest update to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.23.13 (via feature tracker WABetaInfo), beta testers will be able to access a new feature in the media viewer that is displayed when an image is opened inside a chat. The new feature performs a reverse image search, after asking for user confirmation to upload the image.

The process of uploading an image requires user confirmation
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

 

In order to try out the feature, users will need to install the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android, then open a chat and select an image. They can tap on the three-dot menu at the top of the screen, then tap Search on web > Search. However, the feature appears to be enabled by a server-side update, as Gadgets 360 staff members were unable to test the feature even after updating to the latest beta version.

Unlike recent cosmetic updates to WhatsApp for Android, the new image lookup feature is a powerful tool to quickly determine the source of an image. With a couple of taps, users can identify identical or similar images posted online, or check to see if they have received images that have been modified or altered — tactics users to spread misinformation.

The feature does rely on Google’s reverse image search function, so it’s worth noting that WhatsApp will allow users to access it at their discretion. The Meta-owned messaging platform also says that it does not have access to images before, during, or after it is sent to Google for processing. The reverse image lookup feature is available to some beta testers, and it is expected to roll out to all users at a later date.

WhatsApp has finally decided to bring chat-specific theming support to the Android version of the app. Theming has always been available on WhatsApp for Android, but this was quite limited and also basically involved changing the background wallpaper of the said chat. A new interface with the ability to set a chat-specific theme has now been spotted online and adds some much-needed customisation, like Facebook’s Messenger app. Facebook’s Messenger has had chat-specific themes for a long time, so it’s a bit odd as to why it took so long to bring it to WhatsApp.

To be clear, the new theme interface and chat-specific themes are only available on the beta version of WhatsApp for Android for now. WABetaInfo, in a post, has released a few screenshots (seen in the above image) that shows an interface for theme selection which is very different from the one that’s currently available on Android devices.

Whenever WhatsApp decides to release a new update, users will be able to select from 20 Chat colours and up to 22 textured Chat themes. All of these themes will have preset chat colours for chat bubbles (different for sender and receiver), adding a new level of personalisation to chats. These themes, unlike what’s available currently, will also be chat-specific. So, just like changing wallpapers, users will be able to choose and set a specific theme for each and every chat.

The feature was recently spotted on the beta version of WhatsApp for iOS. Feature-wise, both versions of the app remain the same. Given that the feature did arrive earlier on the iOS version of WhatsApp, there is a good chance that it may appear on the release version of iOS before showing up on Android.

More recently, it was revealed that Google’s Gemini virtual assistant on Android will soon be capable of sending messages via voice commands. The feature is currently available when using Google Assistant, which is gradually being replaced by Gemini. Just like chat-specific theming, Gemini integration too is still being tested.