“Picture in Picture on iOS: Now in beta testing and launching in the new year, it’s easy to multitask during a call with a minimized in-call video screen,” WhatsApp said.
What is picture-in-picture mode
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode shrinks a video into a small player that allows users to continue watching it while using other apps on their smartphone. It’s a floating window, which means you can move the player around your device’s screen and position yourself to your liking.
PiP mode detected on iPhone
The feature was first spotted earlier this month by WABetaInfo, a platform that beta tests WhatsApp features.
The feature was made available to some beta testers via WhatsApp beta for the iOS 22.24.0.79 update from the TestFlight app. The platform also claims that the features use official iOS APIs that allow users to temporarily hide the video call view if they wish.
WABetaInfo also noted that the feature works at least on iOS 16.1 and above.
More WhatsApp calling features
WhatsApp also listed other features launched during the year. These include the ability to make video calls with up to 32 people, send messages or mute individual participants in video calls, and the “call links” feature to invite people to a group call by sharing a call link.
As for the design changes, WhatsApp has brought colored waveforms to identify who’s talking if participants’ cameras are off, and call banner notifications to see when someone joins a group call. . “As always, all calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default to protect people’s privacy and security,” the company said.
A step-by-step guide on how to use the WhatsApp image blur tool
