WhatsApp Picture-in-Picture Feature for Video Calling Rolling Out to iOS Users: Full Details

WhatsApp for iOS is getting an update that will allow iPhone owners to multitask on their phone while on a video call. Unlike the Android version of the app, which has supported multitasking during video calls for ages, WhatsApp for iOS paused a user’s video stream when the app was minimized or the user switched to another app. Now, iPhone users will see a floating picture-in-picture (PiP) window with a minimized version of the window, allowing them to access other apps while on a video call.

The popular messaging service has announced that it is adding support for PiP functionality on iOS via the latest stable version release notes on the App Store. “With iOS Picture in Picture (PiP) support, you can now multitask during a WhatsApp call without having your video paused,” the changelog reads. Gadgets 360 was able to confirm that the feature was enabled on two iPhone models after updating to WhatsApp for iOS 23.3.77.

It should be noted that Apple added support for PiP mode in 2020 with the release of iOS 14, while Google added support in 2017 when it rolled out Android 8, popularly known as name of Android Oreo. Third-party Android apps received support for PiP mode faster than their iOS counterparts – YouTube users on iOS were finally able to reduce video playback to a floating window in the second half of 2022.

Meanwhile, the update also adds support for subtitles when sending documents on WhatsApp for iOS. The app previously allowed users to add captions to images and videos, and now users can add context to documents while sharing them.

iOS users will also be able to enter longer topics and descriptions for group chats, after updating to the latest version of WhatsApp. The company rolled out these improvements to the Android version of the app earlier this week, along with the ability to share 100 images or videos at once, which doesn’t appear to be included in the latest update or iOS.

WhatsApp also says users can create avatars as stickers and their profile picture, but it’s worth noting that the company first announced the rollout of this feature, along with support for 36 customizable stickers. based on user-generated avatars, in December.