WhatsApp adds new features-Text Formatting, Improved File Sharing, and More

Already there are numerous features that have been added to WhatsApp Messenger app which includes sharing of pdf files, showing end-to-end encryption notification and a redesigned Settings page. The Facebook-owned messaging application has now launched a new version for Android users i.e. version 2.12.535 that has many new features. An updated version v2.12.16, is also rolled out for iPhone users. The new version is not available for download from the company website but is available only for beta testers on OTA update on Google play. To become a beta tester all a user needs to do is visit www.whatsapp.com/android. The update is not available for app version number 2.12.510 or lower users.

After document sharing, WhatsApp v2.12.535 for Android is the biggest update that the app has received. It enables users to format text inside messages as bold and italics. The phrase to be seen as bold has to be put *inside asterisks* while typing and phrase you need to italicize has to be put  _between underscores_. The recipients should have the same app version for seeing the text in bold and italics. The text of notification alerts can also be formatted. The new version will make the user see the name of the sender in bold in the notification dropdown. The text will be shown in the same format i.e. bold or italics in the notification tray.

The earlier update allowed only sending and receiving pdf files over chats but now users can send pdf files from the device storage, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive accounts. Exchange of Sheets, Docs and Slides files from Google Drive are also allowed in the updated version only after being converted into pdf format automatically before being sent. The version will continue blocking the complete app when the scheduled backup starts but now a progress bar will be displayed hinting the users as to when they can get back to the app.