WhatsApp Experiments With Live Photos on iOS

WhatsApp's Constant Stream of New Features - Over the past year, WhatsApp has been on a roll, testing and rolling out features that make chats feel more interactive and modern. From status updates that mimic Instagram Stories to new group management tools, Meta's popular messaging app has been steadily expanding what users can do. The latest experiment adds a playful twist for iPhone users: support for Live Photos in chats, groups, and even channels.

What Are Live Photos Anyway?

If you're an iOS user, you probably know Live Photos well. They're those quirky little images that aren't quite a photo and not quite a video—capturing about 1.5 seconds before and after you tap the shutter. The result is a moving snapshot, like a mini GIF but tied directly to your camera roll. Until now, sending one on WhatsApp would flatten it into a plain, static image. With this test, however, WhatsApp wants to preserve that movement so your friends don't just see a still frame—they get the full clip.

For Android users who might not be as familiar, think of it as sending a very short looping video along with the still shot. The app also allows senders to share just the static image if they'd rather keep things simple.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

One of the biggest perks here is that WhatsApp isn't limiting Live Photos to iOS alone. According to WABetaInfo, the platform is testing cross-compatibility so that Android users will also see these photos as motion clips—and vice versa. In other words, no matter what phone your friends are using, the animated element won't get lost in translation. This aligns with WhatsApp's broader push to ensure new features work seamlessly across ecosystems.

Where the Feature Stands Now

The feature has reportedly been spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 25.24.10.72. Right now, it's available only to a subset of beta testers, so you might not see it on your app just yet. There's no firm release date for a global rollout, but WABetaInfo suggests it could happen "over the coming weeks." As with most WhatsApp experiments, the timeline depends on how smoothly the feature works during testing.

Why It Matters

On the surface, Live Photos may feel like a small update, but it speaks to WhatsApp's broader strategy of catching up with and borrowing from features people already enjoy on other platforms. With rivals like Telegram, Signal, and even iMessage constantly innovating, WhatsApp can't afford to stay static. Adding small, fun touches like Live