WhatsApp may soon let Android users send voice messages directly from home screen

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new Android home screen widget that will let users record and send voice messages faster without opening the app. Here is what we know so far.

In Short

• WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new home screen widget for voice messages on Android
• This widget will allow users to record voice notes directly from the home screen
• Users can choose contacts after recording before sending the message

For Android users, WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that could make sending voice messages much faster. The company is said to be developing a home screen widget that will allow users to record and send voice notes without opening the WhatsApp app first.

The feature was spotted by WABetaInfo, which was found on the latest WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.26.24.2 update on the Google Play Store. The widget is currently under development and has not yet reached beta testers, but it gives an idea of how WhatsApp plans to make frequently used features easier to access.

WhatsApp voice message widget could save time

The new widget will appear directly on the phone’s home screen and will act as a shortcut for recording voice messages. Users will be able to tap the widget, start recording, and choose the recipient once the voice note is ready.

The widget is expected to support sending voice messages to a single contact or multiple people at the same time. This could be especially useful for users who regularly send voice notes throughout the day, as they will no longer need to open WhatsApp, search for a chat, and then start recording.

WhatsApp may also allow users to share these voice notes as status updates, giving people another way to quickly post audio updates.

WhatsApp is expanding home screen shortcuts

The voice message widget is not the only shortcut WhatsApp is working on. The company is also said to be developing a separate home screen widget for status updates, which will let users view recent status activity and create new status updates without opening the app.

The voice message widget is still in development, and WhatsApp has not announced when it will be available for all users. The feature is expected to first appear for beta testers before a wider rollout.

Apart from the voice message widget, WhatsApp has also been working on improving the overall web experience. The platform is reportedly testing group voice and video calling support on WhatsApp Web, allowing users to join group calls directly from their browser without relying on the desktop app. The feature could support up to 32 participants, along with options like screen sharing and call links, bringing the web version closer to the experience available on mobile.

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