We generally love all the new features WhatsApp adds . These updates are always aimed at improving the user experience, and it's true that they all offer some advantage. That's why we're so surprised by the latest feature we've confirmed is coming to the platform, a feature that adds nothing—in fact, it detracts from the experience: when your app is protected with your fingerprint, you won't be able to take screenshots . Why?
No screenshots because of the fingerprint
Every week we get news related to WhatsApp. The platform's developers are constantly working on the service to improve different aspects of it, many of which we learn about (since they are not yet public betas) thanks to the folks at WABetaInfo. And it is precisely this outlet that has revealed a curious condition that will soon be present on many Android phones using WhatsApp.
According to reports, screenshots will be blocked under certain conditions. That's right. Apparently, a description explaining the fingerprint lock feature has been found in the app's menu, indicating that when this method is active, screenshots of chats will be disabled.
As you know, one of the latest improvements to WhatsApp for Android involves offering a new integrated authentication method for logging into the app using your fingerprint. The option isn't officially available yet, but when it launches, users will be able to lock access to the app , so that it can only be opened with their fingerprint . Now we've learned that this option will come at a price: the inability to take screenshots.
[RelatedNotice blank title=»»]https://eloutput.com/news/applications/block-whatsapp-fingerprint/[/RelatedNotice]
Far from being an advantage, the inability to take screenshots is actually a hindrance for users and something to consider when deciding to implement this type of protection. It might make more sense if it were the other way around (that is, if you have fingerprint protection enabled, the person you're talking to wouldn't be able to take screenshots), but that's not the case at all: the other person can continue taking screenshots freely, while you (the user) cannot. What's the point of this? None.
Today WhatsApp is developing a new feature for Android: prevent screenshots in YOUR conversations from *YOU* — yes, you prevent yourself to take screenshots — if the authentication feature is enabled. No sense! ?
I hope they'll remove this feature before enabling it. https://t.co/Bmd9GGPAGL— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) April 15, 2019
WABetaInfo has also taken the opportunity to announce improvements to WhatsApp Doodle . While its new features were revealed about a month ago, they are now available in open beta for those participating in the testing program. The improvements essentially involve a reorganization of the stickers and emojis section (similar to iOS), which are now presented separately and in a better-organized manner. WhatsApp stickers themselves are categorized into Favorites and various categories, and a search function has been added. Ultimately, this makes it easier for users to access and find images (including GIFs). It will soon be available to the public in an upcoming update.