WHATSAPP is plotting a huge change to video calls that will arrive on the app in the near future.
Following an upcoming update, you’ll be able to make your own cartoon character avatars – just like the Memoji on an Apple iPhone.
These will be available as stickers to send in chats.
But that’s not all: You’ll also be able to use them as your face during WhatsApp video calls.
A similar feature already existing on iPhone using Apple’s Memoji.
The sleuths at WABetaInfo uncovered a similar feature for WhatsApp last month, and on Wednesday released fresh details.
“Thanks to avatars, you may be able to use an avatar as a mask while placing video calls,” said WABetaInfo, which scours early “beta” versions of WhatsApp for new features ahead of release.
The site added that users will also be able to “use their avatars as a sticker.”
The feature is currently “under development”, so it’s not available yet. There’s no timescale yet on when it may be released.
But WABetaInfo has uncovered evidence of the feature in the WhatsApp beta that’s sent out to app developers each month.
“There will be a new option within the video call screen that lets us immediately switch to our avatar when a future update drops,” said WABetaInfo.
“We will be able to set up our own avatar by launching the ‘Avatar Editor’: a proper section where we can customize the avatar.
“When it is configured, we will finally be able to send avatar stickers.”
Of course, it won’t be useful for everyone.
You might not want to use an avatar – and you’re totally free to avoid it.
What you can’t avoid is other people using avatars on your screen.
So even if you want to see someone’s face during a video call, there’s no way to override the avatar.
If you want to try all of the latest WhatsApp features first, follow our guide on how to join the beta below.
How to get WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iOS for iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
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