WhatsApp is making it easier for more people to access its upcoming features before anyone else. The messaging giant has introduced a new option that lets select Android users join the beta program directly from the app itself, no need to hunt for limited spots on Google Play. This move helps WhatsApp gather feedback faster while giving eager users early access to experimental tools. However, the rollout comes with some limitations and a few reported bugs, according to the latest reports.
How Users Can Enable Early Access To WhatsApp Upcoming Features
The new feature appears in WhatsApp’s latest Android beta update (version 2.26.2.11), available on the Google Play Store. Users who see the option can activate it quickly:
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- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Look for the new “Early access to features” toggle
- Turn it on to start receiving beta updates and upcoming features ahead of stable releases
- Switch it off anytime to return to the regular version
This direct in-app toggle removes the old barrier of waiting for one of the 10,000 Google Play beta slots, which often filled up instantly and pushed users toward risky third-party APKs. Now, WhatsApp can expand testing to more people without relying solely on Play Store limits.
Benefits, Limitations, And What’s Next
The change benefits both users and WhatsApp. Testers get hands-on time with upcoming features earlier, while the company receives wider feedback to improve tools faster. It could also speed up critical bug fixes, as beta updates sometimes face delays during Google Play approval, disrupting daily chats for millions.
However, the rollout remains limited. Only some non-beta users and existing testers currently see the option. A few people report a bug where the toggle turns itself off immediately after activation. In such cases, users must wait for WhatsApp to release a fix in a future update.
WhatsApp is gradually expanding this early access program, though no timeline exists for a full release. The company continues to test other enhancements, including new web tools for group calls, but details on those remain sparse.
With over two billion users worldwide, moves like this show WhatsApp’s push to innovate quickly while keeping the app reliable. Early testers play a key role in shaping the next wave of WhatsApp upcoming features.
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