WhatsApp recently introduced a new audio status feature that allows users to share brief voice messages as their status update. This feature is currently available on Android smartphones, but iPhone users are wondering if it will also be supported on iOS.
What is the new WhatsApp audio status feature?
The audio status feature allows WhatsApp users to record and share voice messages up to 30 seconds long as their status update. It provides a quicker and easier way to share temporary audio snippets compared to sending voice notes.
When you tap on a contact’s profile picture on WhatsApp, you can now listen to their audio status update instead of just viewing a text status.
Is the WhatsApp audio status available on iPhone?
Unfortunately, the WhatsApp audio status feature is not yet available on iPhones. It was introduced in a beta version of WhatsApp for Android in late 2022 and has not yet rolled out officially to iOS devices.
WhatsApp frequently brings new features to Android first before releasing them on iOS. This is likely due to the more complex approval process for updates on the App Store compared to Google Play.
When will audio statuses come to iPhone?
WhatsApp has not provided an official timeline for when audio status will be available on iPhones. However, looking at the rollout pattern for previous new features gives us some indication.
Typically there’s a gap of a few weeks to a couple months between a feature launching in WhatsApp beta for Android and being released in the iOS version. For example, the ability to react to messages with emojis came to Android beta in July 2022 and was added on iOS in September 2022.
Based on this, iPhone users can likely expect to see WhatsApp audio statuses on iOS sometime in early 2023, potentially in the next couple months. WhatsApp will likely release it in a beta version on TestFlight first before rolling it out to all iOS users.
Which iPhones will support audio statuses?
Once released, the WhatsApp audio status feature will be compatible with all iPhones currently running iOS 16 or newer. This includes:
- iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13/13 Mini/13 Pro/13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS/XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8/8 Plus
- iPhone 7/7Plus
- iPhone 6s/6s Plus
- iPhone SE (1st and 2nd gen)
So all users on a fairly modern iPhone model will be able to use WhatsApp audio statuses once the feature is implemented on iOS.
How will audio statuses work on iPhone?
The process of recording and sharing audio statuses on iPhone should be very similar to how it works currently on Android.
To record an audio status, iPhone users will open the WhatsApp status tab, then tap and hold the mic icon and start speaking. When finished, lift your finger to end the recording. WhatsApp will automatically trim any silence to cut your audio clip down to 30 seconds max.
You’ll then be able to preview your audio status before sharing it. Listeners will be able to play your status by tapping on your profile photo in chat windows or contact info screens.
The interface will likely be adjusted slightly to fit with iOS aesthetics, but in general the process should function just like on Android devices.
Why is audio status not on iPhone yet?
There are a few potential reasons why WhatsApp has not yet brought audio statuses to iPhones:
- Extra development and testing time required for iOS – Apple has stricter app review policies than Android, so WhatsApp likely needs more time to prepare the iOS update and get it approved.
- Staged rollout strategy – WhatsApp often staggers new feature launches across platforms to monitor usage and fix any issues before expanding to more users.
- Differences in how iOS and Android access microphone – WhatsApp may need to adjust the audio recording implementation to work smoothly on iPhones.
- Focus on improving Android beta first – Since Android has the majority market share globally, WhatsApp may have prioritized enhancing the Android beta before iOS.
In summary, while the wait for iPhone support may be frustrating, WhatsApp is likely taking some extra time to ensure audio statuses work reliably on iOS before releasing the feature.
Will audio statuses replace regular WhatsApp statuses?
Audio statuses are not replacing regular text and photo statuses on WhatsApp. They are simply an additional option for users to choose from when updating their status.
Users can still continue sharing text status updates, photos, videos, and GIFs even after the audio status feature is enabled. Having both audio and regular status options allows for more diversity in how people communicate temporary updates on WhatsApp.
The audio statuses complement rather than replace existing status formats. People who prefer brevity can continue using text and emojis, while others may enjoy expressing themselves through voice messages.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp’s new audio status feature is not yet available for iPhones, it should be coming to iOS in the relatively near future. iPhone users will likely need to wait at least a few more weeks or months before being able to try out audio statuses.
Once released, the feature should provide the same 30-second voice status updates on iPhones as it currently does on Android. All fairly recent iPhone models running iOS 16 or later will be able to use audio statuses.
This new way to share temporary voice updates will be a welcome addition to WhatsApp on iOS. But regular text, photo, video, and GIF statuses aren’t going away either. Users will have multiple options to choose from when deciding how best to update their status and communicate in the moment on WhatsApp.