WhatsApp launches a HUGE update that transforms the way you send photos to your friends – here’s what you need to know

• WhatsApp users now have the option to send their friends photos in HD quality
• These photos will be protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption 

It’s the go-to messaging platform for millions of people around the world. 

But WhatsApp users will know the frustration of sending photos to their friends on the platform, only to discover that they’re grainy.

Thankfully, the days of having to meet up to AirDrop the photos are finally a thing of the past, thanks to a huge WhatsApp update. 

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has announced that you can now send photos on WhatsApp in HD quality. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the update, including how to send high definition photos to your friends. 

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has announced that you can now send photos on WhatsApp in HD quality

How to send HD photos on WhatsApp 

Zuckerberg shared the news on his Facebook page, posting a video showing how the feature works, alongside the caption: ‘Sharing photos on WhatsApp just got an upgrade — now you can send in HD.’

WhatsApp says the new feature is suited ‘for special moments that you want friends and family to enjoy in every little detail’.

To try it yourself, simply open the WhatsApp app and tap on the conversation you’d like to send an HD photo in. 

Tap the ‘+’ symbol at the bottom left of the screen, then Photo & Video Library. 

Select which photo you’d like to share, and you should now see a new HD option at the top of the screen. 

Tap on this, then tap the blue arrow icon at the bottom right of your screen and the photo will send in HD. 

‘To ensure sharing photos over WhatsApp remains fast and reliable, Standard Quality will continue to be the default option photos are sent in,’ WhatsApp explained. 

‘If you receive a photo when you have low bandwidth connectivity, you can choose on a photo by photo basis whether to keep the standard version or upgrade it to HD.’ 

WhatsApp says that Standard Quality will continue to be the default option photos are sent in, ‘to ensure sharing photos over WhatsApp remains fast and reliable’

As always, these photos will be protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. 

This ensures only you and the person you’re communicating with – and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp – can see the HD photo.

HD Photos is rolling out globally over the next few weeks, with HD Videos also coming soon.

The launch of the new feature comes shortly after experts from WABetaInfo claimed that WhatsApp is working on a major update that will make it much easier to hide messages from snooping colleagues. 

The update for WhatsApp Desktop will include a new screen lock feature, which requires a password to view conversations. 

‘When you enable this feature, it ensures that even if someone gains access to your computer while you’re away, they won’t be able to access your WhatsApp chats and messages without entering the password,’ WABetaInfo explained. 

BEST WHATSAPP ALTERNATIVES

If you’re considering deleting WhatsApp, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several alternative apps to choose from:

1. Telegram

With more than 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives. 

While it looks very similar to WhatsApp, what sets it apart is the fact that it gives the option to set messages to self-destruct after a given period of time, leaving no trace. 

Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption.

However, as a WhatsApp spokesperson pointed out, Telegram ‘does not offer end-to-end encryption by default so it’s not necessarily more secure than WhatsApp’.

2. Signal 

Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to the fact that it is open-source. 

This means that the code for the app is publicly available to view, making it near-impossible for the app’s creators to sneak in any backdoors that could allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages.

3. iMessage

If you use an iPhone, you may consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple’s own messaging app. 

The app has a number of impressive features included no character limits, the ability to send pictures and videos, and of course Apple’s animated emoji feature, Animoji.

Unfortunately, iMessage is only available for iPhone users, so you’ll struggle to interact with anyone using an Android. 

4. Google Messages

Google’s answer to iMessage is Google Messages, an Android-only messaging service. 

The app replaces your standard SMS app, and integrates with all of Google’s apps and services, making it easy to share images or use Google Assistant. 

5. Facebook Messenger

If you were put off using WhatsApp due to its sharing of data with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you.

However, the app offers a number of helpful features, including games, secret conversations and video calls. 

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