The ever increasingly-popular Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp just released its latest update on Monday that now allows users to pinch to zoom in on videos, change the color of the chat background and share photos and video from third-party apps installed on the user's phone, such as DropBox or Google Drive. However, in order to further cater to its one billion users worldwide, the app is also rolling another feature that will be very beneficial for businesses: file sharing.
Although the company has not made any official announcements, reports have surfaced that both iOS and Android users will finally be able to share files directly in their chat messages.
Here's how to share documents for both devices:
For iOS
| • Tap on the upload icon located to the left of the text bar on the bottom of the screen when in a conversation. • Once the menu appears, tap on the third option, "Share Document." |
(the separate photo and video buttons have now been integrated into one to make room on the list for the new feature).
For Android
| • Tap on the paper clip icon used to upload an attachment. • Tap on the new "Document" button to share the file. |
(the previous photo and video icons are now "Camera" to make room for the new feature).
While the file sharing feature appears to have already started rolling out, other WhatsApp users will have to first update to version 2.12.14 on iOS and version 2.12.453 for Android to be able to start sending and receiving documents.
Users are supposed to be able to select and share documents from Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive and more; however, it appears that only PDF files are supported right now.
Those who have seen success with file sharing report that the PDF displays as a preview with the number of pages and file size.
Users worried about the safety of sharing personal documents can rest assured that their files are protected because the app features end-to-end encryption.
WhatsApp previously announced in January that it will focus on testing more tools aimed for businesses.
WhatsApp is available to download for free for iOS and Android.
Source: Forbes
Photo: Jan Persiel | Flickr
