whatsappWhatsApp received an update this morning that adds official support for the larger display on Apple's iPhone XS Max, as well as some other improvements and new clues on what's next for the messaging platform.

Prior to today's update, the WhatsApp interface didn't scale properly on the 2,688 x 1,242 resolution screen exclusive to Apple's new 6.5-inch device, but happily the issue has been fixed in this update and the UI now takes full advantage of the larger OLED display.

Elsewhere in this version (2.18.100), WhatsApp has introduced a redesigned contextual action menu for message bubbles in chat threads. Previously, a long press on a message would bring up a horizontal popup menu similar to the one found elsewhere in iOS.

whatsapp message menu

Old message action menu (left) versus redesigned menu

In contrast, the new vertical menu masks the background to highlight the selected message and allows more options to be shown in the first popup, with an ellipsis replacing the arrow button to reveal additional actions.

Elsewhere, consecutive voice messages now play in sequence, so users no longer have to tap play on each message. The latest update also adds new reply options to user status messages, with documents, voice messages, locations and vCards being added to the existing text, images, GIFs and videos.

In addition to these changes, WABetaInfo has uncovered alpha code in the latest version suggesting future features for the app will include an optional Dark Mode and the ability to preview videos in WhatsApp notifications.

alpha dark mode whatsapp

Image via WABetaInfo

In the hidden Dark Mode, incoming messages currently have a dark gray color and outgoing messages are dark green, but it's worth noting that the theme is still in early testing and may look very different when the Dark Mode officially goes live.

WhatsApp is a free download for iPhone available from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

vmachiel Avatar
77 months ago
Thomas, post: 26685856, member: 1021539"]Following up with Telegram, but most likely they'll fail to implement the automatic switching...
I don't understand why so many people stick with WA...
You try convincing all of you friends to switch, and your friends’ friends to switch and so on..
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
77 months ago
To me, dark mode seems a bit overrated!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacFan23 Avatar
77 months ago
I still hate that I can't use this on my iPad.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
[AUT] Thomas Avatar
77 months ago
Following up with Telegram, but most likely they'll fail to implement the automatic switching...
I don't understand why so many people stick with WA...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
77 months ago
How long does it take to implement dark mode? :/ One of the last apps to do so (that I use). Hate WhatsApp with a passion, but like others stated here.... try convincing a horde of family/friends to switch to something else.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
makr Avatar
77 months ago
Thomas, post: 26685856, member: 1021539"]Following up with Telegram, but most likely they'll fail to implement the automatic switching...
I don't understand why so many people stick with WA...
I have both installed, almost all my friends have WhatsApp, whereas only 6 of my contacts have Telegram.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

iOS 18 Available Now With These 8 New Features For Your iPhone

Sunday September 15, 2024 10:09 am PDT by
Following over three months of beta testing, iOS 18 was finally widely released to the public on Monday, September 16. The update is available in the Settings app under General → Software Update on the iPhone XS and newer. Below, we have highlighted eight key new features included in iOS 18, and Apple shared a complete list of new features and changes last week. Note that Apple...
iOS 18 Public Beta Thumb 1

Here's When iOS 18 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone

Monday September 16, 2024 3:56 am PDT by
It's that time of year again. Apple is about to release iOS 18, which promises to bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and the company is expected to release it sometime today – Monday, September 16. Based on past releases, the update is likely to drop at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern...
apple silicon mac lineup wwdc 2022 feature purple

M4 Macs, New iPad Mini, and iPad 11 Expected at Upcoming Apple Event

Sunday September 15, 2024 5:29 am PDT by
Apple will likely hold another event in October this year to announce new Macs and iPads. If so, it would be the fourth time in the last five years that Apple has held an event in October. Last year, Apple held a virtual event on Monday, October 30 to announce new MacBook Pro and iMac models with the M3 series of chips. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated...
M4 Mac mini Black Ortho Cooler

Apple Leaks New Mac Mini With 5 USB-C Ports

Monday September 16, 2024 11:40 am PDT by
Apple has seemingly leaked the rumored next-generation Mac mini with five USB-C ports, according to a code change within Apple software that was discovered today by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The code refers to an unreleased Mac mini model with an Apple silicon chip and five ports, which lines up with a previous report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman that said the next Mac mini will be ...
16 pro

iPhone 16 Pro Demand Has Been Lower Than Expected, Analyst Says

Sunday September 15, 2024 3:58 pm PDT by
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max has been "lower than expected" since the devices became available to pre-order in the U.S. and dozens of other countries on Friday. Kuo said his data is based on a "supply chain survey" and shipping estimates listed on Apple's online store. Kuo estimated that sales of all four iPhone 16 models reached...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Friday September 13, 2024 2:40 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...