• by Colin Kirkland , July 27, 2023

WhatsApp, Meta's encrypted messaging platform, is streamlining the video-messaging process. Now users will be able to record and share short personal videos directly in their chats, moving in-app communication beyond text and voice messaging.

Although video is not new to WhatsApp, this new feature is more immediate, taking after the voice messaging experience, avoiding filling users’ camera rolls with short clips.

“We think these will be a fun way to share moments with all the emotion that comes from video,” wrote Meta in a blog post. “Whether it’s wishing someone a happy birthday, laughing at a joke, or bringing good news.”

Users will be able to record up to 60 seconds of instant video. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared a short video clip as an example to interested users.

Meta says that sending a video message is as simple as sending a voice message. Users will tap to switch to video mode and hold the record button to begin filming. They can also swipe up to lock and record the video hands-free.

Video will play automatically on mute when opened in a chat. Tapping on the video will start the sound. Videos, Meta makes clear, are protected with end-to-end encryption to keep users’ messages secure –– a feature that has always been at the heart of WhatsApp.

Video messaging will begin rolling out on Thursday and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks, Meta says.