WhatsApp to Introduce New File Sharing Feature

Google and Samsung have upgraded Android’s file-sharing system, Nearby Share, renaming it Quick Share. This feature facilitates seamless file sharing between Android phones and computers running Chrome OS and Windows. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is experimenting with a file-sharing feature in its Android beta version, utilizing Bluetooth for transfers. Users can share files up to 2GB in size, providing a faster and more convenient alternative to traditional methods.

To use WhatsApp’s file-sharing feature, both users must be in the app’s “Share Files” section, ensuring the end-to-end encrypted transfer is secure. Interestingly, users need to shake their phones to initiate sharing. Privacy is maintained as phone numbers remain hidden during the transfer, visible only to contacts.

While Quick Share from Google and Samsung offers a similar functionality, WhatsApp’s feature could be impactful if it works on both iOS and Android. If not, other platforms may have more robust built-in options. In other WhatsApp updates, the company introduced four features for Channels users, including the ability to create polls, send voice messages, have multiple admins, and allow followers to share Channel updates on their WhatsApp status. These enhancements add versatility to the messaging platform, catering to various user needs.