Like other apps, WhatsApp relies on beta testers to try out new features before rolling them out to everyone through public updates. This could be anything from showing a friend’s current location, real-time location, or the ability to edit a message after it’s been sent – all of which have been present in WhatsApp’s beta version before being rolled out to a wider audience. Allowing companies, including WhatsApp, to access upcoming features could address these issues without impacting the experience of its 1 billion users around the world.
How to download WhatsApp Beta on iPhone
The WhatsApp for Android beta testing program is an opt-in option, and that’s as it should be. If you want to join the WhatsApp beta, we have provided the necessary steps below. Until then, it’s important to note that new betas are released much more frequently than regular app updates, which can quickly annoy some people and more importantly lead to unexpected app crashes. If you want to avoid this hassle, it’s better to stick with the regular version of WhatsApp.
How to join WhatsApp beta for Android
Thanks to Google Play’s built-in beta testing process, any Android app can easily join the beta testing ranks. There are two ways to do this – the first is through the browser and the second is directly through Google Play.
Here are the steps to join the WhatsApp beta for Android using a web browser:
- Open the browser of your choice – Chrome, Firefox or Opera, etc.
- Go to the WhatsApp beta testing page on the Google Play website.
- Sign in to the Google Account you use on your Android device.
- If you have multiple account login enabled, click the user icon in the upper right corner and select your preferred account.
- Click the “Become a Tester” button.
Congratulations, you have joined the WhatsApp for Android beta testing program. Now follow the steps below to download the latest WhatsApp beta version for Android:
- Open Google Play on your Android phone and search for WhatsApp.
- When you open the app page, the title will reflect “WhatsApp Messenger (Beta)” and a line below it will read: “You are a beta tester for this app. Awesome!”
- You should receive an update from WhatsApp in the next few hours to enter the beta.
Please follow the steps below to join the WhatsApp Android beta using Google Play:
- Open Google Play and search for WhatsApp.
- Scroll down past the app description, images, and similar apps sections to find the “Become a Beta Tester” panel.
- Touch the button that says “I Join.” It will ask you to confirm; select “Join”.
- You should receive an update from WhatsApp in the next few hours to enter the beta.
How to convert WhatsApp Beta to Android program
If you encounter problems using the beta version of WhatsApp for Android, you can go back to the more stable version that is available to the public. Again, you can do this through your browser or Google Play.
How to log out of WhatsApp Android beta via a web browser:
- Open the browser of your choice – Chrome, Firefox or Opera, etc.
- Go to the WhatsApp beta testing page on the Google Play website.
- Sign in to the Google Account you use on your Android device.
- If you have multiple account login enabled, click the user icon in the upper right corner and select your preferred account.
- The page should have a section called “Leaving the Test Program.” If not, then you are not part of the beta yet.
- Under that section, look for an option called “Leave Program” and click on it.
- The next page that opens should mention “You left the test”.
- Uninstall the current WhatsApp beta version and then reinstall the public version.
How to exit WhatsApp Android beta via Google Play:
- Open Goole Play and search for WhatsApp.
- When you open the app page, the title should read “WhatsApp Messenger (Beta)” and a line below it that reads: “You are a beta tester for this app. Awesome!”
- If this is not the case, you are not signed up for the beta. Long live! Everyone else, move on to the next step.
- Scroll down past the App Description, Images, and Similar Apps sections to find the “You are a beta tester” panel.
- Touch the “Leave” button. It will ask you to confirm, so select “Leave” again.
- Uninstall the current beta version of WhatsApp and reinstall the public version.
Have you ever faced problems joining or leaving the WhatsApp beta program on Android? Please leave your questions in the comments below.