WhatsApp has launched an app update for iOS users that introduces the ability to post voice status updates with customizable privacy settings and the ability to detect text directly from images. Here's a closer look at how these new features work and their advantages.

WABetaInfo, a WhatsApp feature tracking website, has confirmed that iOS users can now record a voice note and share it as a Status by going to the Status tab, clicking on the pencil icon, and long-pressing the microphone icon to begin recording.

The new iOS 23.5.75 update supports status updates that can be shared as voice notes, with a 30-second time limit. Users can also forward their own voice notes from chats to status. Additionally, WhatsApp now allows users to multitask during a WhatsApp call without pausing the video, as stated in the changelog for the WhatsApp for iOS 23.3.77 update.

The newly added text detection feature is available on WhatsApp for iOS 23.5.75. Users can test this feature by opening an image with text and looking for a new button that allows them to select and copy text directly from the image.

WhatsApp beta 2.23.5.13 for Android users also boasts new features, such as Unicode 15.0 emojis with up to 21 new options. Users can also take advantage of a redesigned text editor and drawing tool with new fonts and text formatting options, including the ability to change text alignment and format.