Add MobiGyaan as a preferred source on GoogleWhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a new home screen voice message widget for Android, giving select beta testers a faster way to record and share voice notes without opening individual chats. The feature is currently available to some users running the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.30.2.
According to WABetaInfo, the widget simplifies the voice messaging process by allowing users to record a message once and send it to multiple recipients in a single step.
Record Voice Notes Directly From The Home Screen
The new widget can be added manually through Android’s widget picker and does not appear on the home screen automatically.
Once added, tapping the widget opens a dedicated recording interface where users can:
- Record a new voice message
- Pause and resume recording
- Discard the recording
- Confirm the final voice note before sending
After confirming the recording, WhatsApp displays a contact picker that allows users to select one or more recipients for the same voice message.
Designed For Faster Voice Sharing
The feature is aimed at reducing the number of steps required to send identical voice notes to multiple people.
Instead of recording a message inside a chat and forwarding it repeatedly, users can record it once through the widget and share it with multiple contacts simultaneously.
Resizable Widget
According to the report, the widget has a default size of 3×1, but Android users can resize and reposition it after placing it on their home screen.
New In-Chat Reminder
WhatsApp is also reportedly introducing an in-chat notification that appears after users record a voice message.
The notice encourages users to add the home screen widget through Android’s widget menu, making the feature easier to discover.
Limited Beta Rollout
The voice message widget is currently rolling out to select Android beta testers using WhatsApp beta version 2.26.30.2 through the Google Play Store.
WhatsApp has not confirmed when the feature will be released to all users, but a broader rollout is expected after beta testing.
Key Features
- Feature: Home screen voice message widget
- Platform: Android (Beta)
- WhatsApp Version: 2.26.30.2
- Recording Controls: Record, pause, resume, discard and confirm voice messages
- Sharing: Send the same voice message to multiple recipients in one step
- Widget Size: Default 3×1, resizable and repositionable
- Discovery: In-chat notice promoting the new widget
- Availability: Rolling out to select Android beta testers, wider release expected in the future
