User-friendly feature by WhatsApp

WhatsApp to allow users to ‘manage’ updates from now on

Tech companies often introduce various patches and upgrades with regard to their applications and software, however, this arguably is not liked by some users who are left with no choice but to update the relevant platform. In a bid to address the perpetual nuisance of incessant app updates, WhatsApp - Meta-owned platfor - is rolling out a user-friendly feature designed to put users in the driver's seat of their application updates. The latest WhatsApp beta for Android, version 2.24.2.13, available on the Google Play Store, introduces a novel approach to managing updates directly within the app settings. Users can either allow WhatsApp to automatically update itself over WiFi, or choose to receive alerts for downloading new version.

WhatsApp aims to change this as the Meta-owned platform is rolling out a new feature that'll allow its users to manage WhatsApp updates from within the app settings. The new feature, currently accessible to select beta testers, grants users the ability to streamline how WhatsApp updates are handled. With this option, users can now choose between having the app update automatically over WiFi as soon as a new version is available, or receiving alerts notifying them when a new version is ready for download.

However, it's worth noting that this option is exclusively available on devices with the Meta App Manager preinstalled. Devices such as some running on OxygenOS have this preinstalled, offering users seamless access to the update management feature directly within the app settings. Conversely, users on various operating systems or devices lacking the Meta App Manager may not have access to this specific update management feature through the app settings. In addition, manually installing the Meta App Manager on devices that didn't come with it preinstalled does not enable access to this particular update management feature, adding a layer of exclusivity to certain devices.

The feature, available via the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.2.13 update on Google Play Store, is currently accessible to some beta testers and enables the users to either choose whether WhatsApp updates itself automatically over WiFi when a new version becomes available, or opt to receive alerts when the new version is ready for download. This option is only available on devices that have Meta App Manager preinstalled (some OxygenOS devices). Meanwhile, for devices that didn't come with Meta App Manager preinstalled, manually installing the programme will not allow this specific update management feature. It is to be noted that users can already choose for apps to update automatically when new versions are released through the Google Play Store.

While users can already configure apps to update automatically upon new releases through the Google Play Store, this new WhatsApp feature adds a layer of flexibility. Some OxygenOS beta testers and users of specific device models still retain control over whether or not they receive update notifications, offering a personalized approach to managing app updates.