WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), has a beta testing program that allows users to trial new features before they are rolled out to the general public. The beta program gives WhatsApp a way to test new functionality and get user feedback to help refine the features before wider release. Users who participate in the program by installing the beta version of WhatsApp on their device are known as beta testers.
What are the benefits of being a beta tester?
There are a few key advantages to being a WhatsApp beta tester:
- Early access to new features – Beta testers get to try out new WhatsApp capabilities before other users which can be exciting for tech enthusiasts.
- Provide feedback – Testers can share their opinion on new features to help WhatsApp identify any bugs or issues before public rollout.
- Influence development – The feedback given by beta users directly shapes the development of WhatsApp by highlighting what works and what doesn’t.
By taking part in testing, users get a sneak preview of WhatsApp’s future direction. The app typically adds big new additions like WhatsApp Payments and Communities in beta first before expanding them further. For regular WhatsApp users eager to know what’s coming next, joining the program can provide valuable insight.
How to become a beta tester?
Joining the WhatsApp beta program takes a few simple steps:
- On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
- Search for “WhatsApp” and open the app’s Play Store listing.
- Scroll down and look for the “Join beta” option.
- Tap the “Join beta” button to become a beta tester.
- Wait for the beta version of WhatsApp to finish installing.
Once installed, the beta will automatically receive updated test versions of WhatsApp ahead of the main release schedule. However, there is a limit on the number of testers WhatsApp accepts so the program is not always open for join requests.
How to provide feedback on beta features?
WhatsApp provides beta testers with a few ways to submit feedback on new features:
- In-app support chat – Testers can share feedback on new features by starting a chat with WhatsApp support from within the app’s settings.
- User surveys – WhatsApp may send beta testers occasional user experience surveys to rate new capabilities and provide comments.
- Social media – The WhatsApp business accounts on Facebook and Twitter often ask for public feedback on changes tested in beta.
Providing prompt, detailed feedback through these channels helps WhatsApp identify bugs that need fixing and refine the user experience. Descriptive feedback gives the developers valuable insight into how testers are interacting with new features.
How are beta versions different from the stable release?
There are a few key differences between the beta versions of WhatsApp and the main public app release:
- Newer features – The beta will have experimental functionality that is not present in the stable public version.
- More bugs – Since new code is being actively tested, the beta is more likely to suffer from performance issues and crashes.
- Frequent updates – New beta iterations are rolled out more often to test bug fixes and changes.
- Reduced reliability – Key features may be broken or missing from the beta at times during testing.
Essentially, the beta acts as a test bed for work-in-progress features. Things will be buggy and unstable at times. The focus is on testing, not providing the same smooth experience as public releases. Users should install the beta only if they want an early look at new additions and don’t mind instability.
Version Comparison Table
| Feature | Stable Release | Beta Version |
|---|---|---|
| New features | Polished new additions | Experimental and buggy new features |
| Performance | Reliable and consistent | Can suffer bugs and crashes |
| Update frequency | Infrequent releases | Frequent update releases |
Can I uninstall the beta and go back to the regular version?
Yes, WhatsApp beta testers can seamlessly go back to using the standard public release of the app. To uninstall the beta:
- On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
- Go to “My Apps & Games” and select WhatsApp.
- Tap the “Leave” button to stop being a beta tester.
- The Play Store will uninstall the beta and replace it with the regular version.
Once the switch is complete, you’ll no longer have access to any special beta features. The process is quick and won’t affect your chat history or settings. You can always rejoin the beta later if you want early access again.
Does the beta have a separate app listing on the Play Store?
No, the WhatsApp beta does not have a separate app listing. There is only one WhatsApp app page on the Google Play Store. Joining the beta updates that same app to the test version rather than installing a different listing.
The standard WhatsApp app will be updated to the beta automatically on your device once you join the program through the Play Store. So you won’t see a new app pop up after joining. The beta largely replaces the stable public release version when active.
Can I use WhatsApp beta on multiple devices?
Yes, the WhatsApp beta program supports multi-device usage:
- Linked devices – You can link WhatsApp Web/Desktop and Portal to your beta account to message across multiple devices.
- Secondary devices – Additional phones and tablets can run the beta via separate installs from the Play Store.
Like the regular version, the beta allows seamless messaging across mobile, desktop and tablet. All linked devices will run the beta version as long as your main phone has the beta installed and set as the primary WhatsApp device.
Will I keep getting beta updates after full public release?
In most cases, no. Once a beta feature graduates to an official public release, testers will get moved to the stable version on Play Store update.
At that point, the beta program will shift focus to testing new experimental features under development. As a result, beta testers typically transition back to public builds after major releases roll out widely.
However, WhatsApp may choose to keep some users on the beta a while longer for additional testing even after public release. But in general, the beta channel moves on to bleeding-edge features in active development rather than ones already launched.
What are the risks of using beta software?
There are a few potential downsides to keep in mind with the WhatsApp beta program:
- Bugs – New features may be quite buggy and suffer app crashes or broken functionality.
- Reduced reliability – Key messaging capabilities may stop working at times during testing.
- Missing features – Some standard app features could be temporarily removed in beta versions.
- Beta expiration – Test slots are limited and WhatsApp could drop you from the program at any time.
Essentially, the beta sacrifices stability in favor of getting new features out early even if they lack polish. Users have to be willing to accept more instability for the reward of early previews.
Am I under NDA when testing beta features?
No, WhatsApp does not impose any non-disclosure agreement on beta testers. Users are free to publicly discuss, review and showcase new features they gain access to through the program.
In fact, the company encourages beta users to share feedback on the changes being tested. Social media posts and reviews by testers provide useful insight to WhatsApp on how the features are faring.
The only exception is privately sharing media like screenshots and videos of unreleased features if WhatsApp deems them confidential. But there is generally no expectation of secrecy when using the standard messaging beta.
Can I recommend others to join the beta program?
Yes, as a WhatsApp beta tester you are welcome to recommend others in your contacts list to join the program. However, here are a few tips for referring friends and family:
- Let them know about potential bugs and instability in the beta
- Advise using the beta only on secondary devices, not primary phones
- Recommend they uninstall the beta if major issues emerge
- Ask them to provide feedback to WhatsApp on any problems
Spreading awareness about new WhatsApp features in beta can be useful. But be transparent about the risks involved so others have the right expectations when joining the tester group.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s beta program offers technophiles and power users early access to new messaging features. But it requires a level of commitment to dealing with inevitable bugs and instability.
The rewards of getting a sneak peek at major updates before others have to be weighed against the risks of running unreliable software prone to issues. Those eager to trial upcoming capabilities will find the beta channel provides an invaluable first look.