The instant messaging platform, WhatsApp, is now rolling out a new 2.19.60.26 beta update to iOS users which removes the option of saving profile picture of your contacts. To recall, WhatsApp removed the option a couple of weeks ago for Android users, and now, it has been implemented to its iOS Beta app users as well. This news is first reported by WhatsApp watcher WABetaInfo claiming that the Facebook-owned company did not reveal any official information on why it removed the save profile picture option. That said, WhatsApp for iOS Beta users can still save the display picture of a group they're part of, but they will no more be able to save the picture of individual contacts. They will now have to rely on the screenshot to save other's profile picture.
WhatsApp Disables the Ability to Save Profile Picture of Others
WhatsApp has a beta programme for both Android and iOS users. The company tests upcoming features with its beta users and takes feedback from them. Firstly, all the upcoming features will be rolled out to beta users on Android, iOS platforms, post which they'll be added to stable versions of the app. The latest feature which WhatsApp is testing with its beta users is the removal of option to save profile pictures.
Introduced with Android Beta 2.19.143 version, WhatsApp users will no longer be able to save profile pictures of their contacts. Now, the same has been added to the iOS Beta 2.19.60.26 version. As mentioned, users will still be able to the group profile picture, but for individual contacts, they'll have to grab a screenshot.
If saving someone's profile picture is an important thing in your list, then we suggest you not to enrol in the beta programme of WhatsApp. If you are already a part of the programme, then you can opt out by heading over the Google Play Store/Apple App Store. The stable version of WhatsApp is yet to receive this feature, so if you're using it, you'll not be able to notice the absence of saving profile picture option.
WhatsApp Adds New Features to iOS Beta
Besides the removal of save profile picture option, the company has added tiny useful additions to its iOS Beta app. Firstly, WhatsApp now displays how many items has been sent to you by other contact. For example, you receive seven photos from a person, and now, the total count of the album along with the overall album size will be displayed. This feature was added to Android Beta app a couple of weeks ago.
WhatsApp also changed its audio coding format for iOS users. Earlier, WhatsApp's official voice message format used to be Opus which delivers best quality in low latency, however, Opus is not supported by many apps when you export it to desktop or play using a mobile media player. To solve the issue, WhatsApp now exports Opus files as M4A. Do make a note that this change has been added to WhatsApp for iOS Beta and Android version is yet to receive the same.
