What you need to know
- WhatsApp found testing the ‘edit’ message feature on the platform.
- Users may have up to 15 minutes to edit a message that has been sent.
- This could avoid frequent deleting of sent messages with a typo.
As per the shared screenshot by WBI, we can see a group chat in which there is already a sent message, which now has the new ability to get edited after the fact. Users would have to select the sent message and tap the three-dot menu in the top corner, revealing ‘Info,’ ‘Copy,’ and ‘Edit’ options.
WBI further notes as for the beta app, there is no limit to the number of times a user can edit the sent message. However, to utilize the said feature, there is a threshold of up to 15 minutes after sending the message. It is subject to change once the feature officially rolls out to all users.
According to WBI, the said threshold is intentionally set to 15 minutes so that users would be able to correct the typos rather than deleting the message altogether. Also, setting a longer period, like 24 hours, might "compromise the integrity of the conversation," notes WBI.
Like on Telegram, users could see that the message they received on their WhatsApp has been edited (provided if the user who sent and then edited it).
However, like the Twitter edit tweet feature, which also showcases the original tweet to let users know the original version of the tweet they tweeted, the WhatsApp edit message feature does not appear to work that way. Instead, users have to settle with viewing the edited message if they have yet to read the original message prior.
Since it is still in beta, the limitations are understandable. After the official rollout, likely to commence sooner, we expect more options and improvements to be added in future app updates.
