WhatsApp for iOS Gets Video Chat Backup, Location Sharing, and More

WhatsApp updated its iOS app on Wednesday adding several new features that were rolled out to Android users less than a month ago. The update WhatsApp iOS app (version 2.12.5) is now available to download from the App Store.

The updated WhatsApp iOS app also brings new features to the platform such as option to backup video chats, improved VoiceOver support, and sharing location directly to WhatsApp, among others. Users can now include videos in chat backups and the feature can be enabled via Settings > Chats and Calls > Chat Backup.

(Also see: 10 WhatsApp Tips and Tricks Everyone Should Know)

The WhatsApp app listing notes that the update brings better support for VoiceOver, alongside introducing an improved design for cropping images and videos. The location messages on WhatsApp for iOS will now show a large map thumbnail for improved readability in the app.

Users will be also able to directly share contacts from the Contacts app. In the meanwhile, locations from Apple Maps can now be shared to WhatsApp directly. With the update, earlier messages will now load automatically as users scroll chats.

Some of the other features that were rolled out to Android earlier and are now arriving to iPhone users include per chat custom notification settings, mark as unread with a swipe, and the reduction of data used during a WhatsApp call - useful at locations where there is limited connectivity. The WhatsApp for iOS update brings custom notifications settings for individual contacts or groups. The notification setting box includes options to mute chat as well as a new custom notification option. The feature lets users to select custom options for tones, vibration length, popup notification, and others.