WhatsApp is rivalling the likes of Microsoft Teams by adding a screen-sharing feature that allows others to view your phone screen while on a video call.
Screen sharing is already possible on Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and other popular video conferencing platforms, but it represents a major step forward for WhatsApp which has kept its communications features relatively simple.
This adds another attractive feature to WhatsApp for personal communications, internal business meetings, or connecting to third-party organisations, which could draw users away from other popular platforms.
WABetaInfo, an independent and trusted Twitter news provider, made the announcement.
Introducing the update, it said: “WhatsApp keeps working on improving voice and video calls in the Android app.
“After introducing changes regarding the colour for missed calls in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.10.4 update, WhatsApp is now rolling out a new feature that allows users to easily share their screen during a video call.
“It seems this feature is available to some beta testers that install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.19 update from the Google Play Store.”
Screenshots of the screen-sharing feature were also shared by WABetaInfo, showing how to use it.
By tapping the screen sharing tab on the bottom navigation bar, located between the flip camera and switch-off video icons, a message will appear asking whether you want to “start recording or casting with WhatsApp?”.
You then simply need to press the “Start now” button to begin sharing your screen.
From the time you start sharing your screen, everything on your screen will be recorded and shared with the viewer.
A “Stop sharing” button will appear at the centre of your screen, allowing you to end the screen-sharing session whenever you wish.
Old versions of Android or WhatsApp may inhibit the performance of the feature or prevent it from working entirely.
Currently, screen sharing may also not work in large group calls.
According to WABetaInfo, the tabs within the bottom navigation bar may appear in the following order: Chats, Calls, Communities, and Status.
