WhatsApp Update: Beta Testers Can Now Detect Text Within Images on iOS 16

The upcoming WhatsApp update could soon allow iPhone users to detect the texts embedded within the pictures in your chats.

According to the latest report, Meta has not yet rolled this out to public users. At the time, only the beta testers had access for this feature.

WhatsApp Text Detection Feature on iOS 16

As News18 spotted via WABetaInfo, a reliable reporter of all updates from the Meta-owned platform, the feature is exclusive to beta users who are currently testing it out.

As the update suggests, beta testers can now access the image which has a text. The process is pretty simple and all they need to do is to tap the text detection button to make it work.

After clicking the button, text extraction will be just a piece of cake and you can detect the texts from images in seconds.

At the moment, users should take note that the feature will only work for devices compatible with iOS 16. Additionally, the platform makes use of the system API to enable this feature.

WABetaInfo adds that if your iPhone runs outdated iOS versions, you won't be able to use this feature once it becomes accessible to everyone.

At the time, only those who have access to the TestFlight app can experiment with this feature. It is expected, however, that the feature will be available to more users in the next few days or weeks.

Other WhatsApp Features to Arrive this Year

Apart from the ability to detect texts within images on iPhone, WhatsApp is also reportedly testing out a feature dubbed "Companion Mode."

The so-called update particularly lets the users access the messaging app on a secondary device aside from the primary device that they are using.

Furthermore, Meta also plans to deliver new UI changes for the platform where users can easily forward media along with a caption. Through this feature, the user will be notified once a GIF, a short clip, or any form of media is forwarded to the conversation.

Aside from that, the social media giant could be developing a new Status feature which will allow users to share their voice notes on the Status tab.

Exactly one year ago from this date, Tech Times reported that WhatsApp was testing the waters to bring voice notes feature for the Android beta update.

The feature emphasizes that users can soon listen to the audio recordings in the background once this update comes out. They could also check the progress bar of the voice notes so they could resume, pause, and stop the recording easily.

Almost a week ago, BBC reported that the instant-messaging app will soon allow users to connect to the servers even amid internet shutdown brought by power interruptions or blackouts.