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WhatsApp's Dark Mode for iPhone Inches Closer to Release, Requires iOS 13

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WhatsApp's Dark Mode for iOS got one step closer today, with the long-awaited feature rolling out to all beta users on TestFlight. Gleaning details from the latest 2.20.30.25 build, WABetaInfo has provided a few more nuggets on what iPhone users can expect.

whatsapp-dark-mode-beta.jpg

First off, the new Dark Theme is a better one than the previous version WhatsApp was working on, with no battery drain and support for Apple's official iOS 13 APIs. So like Instagram, it respects Apple's guidelines and syncs with the system-wide Dark Mode setting, switching on and off if the user has set it to Automatic.

Given that WhatsApp uses Apple's APIs, the dark theme won't be available for users running iOS versions earlier than iOS 13. In other words, you'll need an iPhone 6s or later to be able to use it.

There's a redesigned dark splash screen with the WhatsApp logo, which makes way for a dark chats list screen. All the other screens are similarly fully darkened.

Meanwhile in chat threads, WhatsApp will show dark chat bubbles and a dark version of the chosen wallpaper - this part's dynamic, so if you switch the theme, the wallpaper style changes too. WhatsApp has also done some extensive work on a raft of Dark Mode-friendly solid colors.

According to WABetaInfo, this latest WhatsApp beta build supports an additional dark theme setting that uses lighter dark colors for some UI elements if the user has the high contrast setting enabled.

Away from Dark Mode, this beta also includes a noteworthy new feature in the form of an advanced search function, adding a categorical breakdown in the search bar with options for filtering the search through photos, GIFs, links, videos, documents and audio.

Note that the WhatsApp TestFlight beta program on iOS is already at maximum capacity, so if you're not already on it, you'll have to wait for the build to go public, which could be any day now.

Article Link: WhatsApp's Dark Mode for iPhone Inches Closer to Release, Requires iOS 13
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/02/21/whatsapp-dark-mode-requires-ios-13/
Better late than never?

Any news on when I can get WhatsApp messages announced via AirPods or an Apple Watch app for viewing and creating WhatsApp messages?

Apple should just release an android iMessage client and be done with all the crap that those who have to live with forcebly in a mixed OS environment right now. And, please, can we not have to rely on Facebook for messaging to these people. It’s like getting out my quill to communicate with the underprivileged.
 
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Good news I guess. I detest Facebook products, but there are some instances when I’m forced to use WhatsApp.

jacg said:
Apple should just release an android iMessage client and be done with all the crap that those who have to live with forcebly in a mixed OS environment right now. And, please, can we not have to rely on Facebook for messaging to these people. It’s like getting out my quill to communicate with the underprivileged.
Click to expand...

The killer app for me will be when Apple is able to integrate all messaging services into a single app on iOS. It is insane to me that many people still have to contend with 3-6 different messaging apps.

I want all my conversations, regardless of platform, in one place. The state of affairs now is like we’re living a parody.
 
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jacg said:
Apple should just release an android iMessage client and be done with all the crap that those who have to live with forcebly in a mixed OS environment right now. And, please, can we not have to rely on Facebook for messaging to these people. It’s like getting out my quill to communicate with the underprivileged.
Click to expand...
incoherent_1 said:
The killer app for me will be when Apple is able to integrate all messaging services into a single app on iOS. It is insane to me that many people still have to contend with 3-6 different messaging apps.

I want all my conversations, regardless of platform, in one place. The state of affairs now is like we’re living a parody.
Click to expand...
I'd like Apple to release an API for Messages so that other apps can add their own messaging platforms to it. Will result in, ideally, one app for all platforms, but without Apple having to do all the integration itself.
 
incoherent_1 said:
The killer app for me will be when Apple is able to integrate all messaging services into a single app on iOS. It is insane to me that many people still have to contend with 3-6 different messaging apps.

I want all my conversations, regardless of platform, in one place. The state of affairs now is like we’re living a parody.
Click to expand...

Apple is doing something similar with CallKit so when you receive a call you get to see the same UI even if it is coming from Whatsapp.
Building something similar for messages is possible, but would be more complex as you can imagine. As long as your messaging app only allow you to send text and images it is quite easy to unify it into a single UI, but what about stickers and other stuff specific for an app? Not saying it would be impossible, but it is a lot of API to build and apps would need to adopt them in order to be part of the new messages app.
 
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Thank God. Now just get a WhatsApp app on the Apple Watch and get dark mode on Facebook. The lack of consistency between these apps is staggering.
 
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incoherent_1 said:
Good news I guess. I detest Facebook products, but there are some instances when I’m forced to use WhatsApp.



The killer app for me will be when Apple is able to integrate all messaging services into a single app on iOS. It is insane to me that many people still have to contend with 3-6 different messaging apps.

I want all my conversations, regardless of platform, in one place. The state of affairs now is like we’re living a parody.
Click to expand...

i wouldn’t be surprised if the EU makes this a requirement at some point lol back in the day when IM was a thing I had AIM, MSN and ICQ all in one place, it was amazing now that I think about it
 
What’s App sucks. I hate that it has become the standart for Cross iOS and Android messaging.

- it’s stillborn cloud based and can only be used from one single device. Tablet apps are only extensions of the iPhone version
- took them half a year to adopt to the iPhone x screen
 
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Jmausmuc said:
What’s App sucks. I hate that it has become the standart for Cross iOS and Android messaging.

- it’s stillborn cloud based and can only be used from one single device. Tablet apps are only extensions of the iPhone version
- took them half a year to adopt to the iPhone x screen
Click to expand...

at least I can quote a message in an on going group chat though
 
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mazz0 said:
I'd like Apple to release an API for Messages so that other apps can add their own messaging platforms to it. Will result in, ideally, one app for all platforms, but without Apple having to do all the integration itself.
Click to expand...

Yep. That’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for too. Why this didn’t happen like 3 iOS versions ago boggles my mind.
 
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recoil80 said:
Apple is doing something similar with CallKit so when you receive a call you get to see the same UI even if it is coming from Whatsapp.
Building something similar for messages is possible, but would be more complex as you can imagine. As long as your messaging app only allow you to send text and images it is quite easy to unify it into a single UI, but what about stickers and other stuff specific for an app? Not saying it would be impossible, but it is a lot of API to build and apps would need to adopt them in order to be part of the new messages app.
Click to expand...

Yep. I agree and see the challenge. If Apple had jumped on this bandwagon a few years ago, it would’ve been easier. Over time it’s only led to more fragmentation.

That said, I’d wager 99% of users either don’t care about stickers, other fringe features or would be fine substituting traditional gifs and images if it meant a unified experience.
 
itsmilo said:
i wouldn’t be surprised if the EU makes this a requirement at some point lol back in the day when IM was a thing I had AIM, MSN and ICQ all in one place, it was amazing now that I think about it
Click to expand...

I miss being able to use all of those in iChat.
 
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jacg said:
Better late than never?

Any news on when I can get WhatsApp messages announced via AirPods or an Apple Watch app for viewing and creating WhatsApp messages?

Apple should just release an android iMessage client and be done with all the crap that those who have to live with forcebly in a mixed OS environment right now. And, please, can we not have to rely on Facebook for messaging to these people. It’s like getting out my quill to communicate with the underprivileged.
Click to expand...

creating messages would be a nice watch idea but the stories updates would go one further. 👌🏿
[automerge]1582349383[/automerge]
Jmausmuc said:
What’s App sucks. I hate that it has become the standart for Cross iOS and Android messaging.

- it’s stillborn cloud based and can only be used from one single device. Tablet apps are only extensions of the iPhone version
- took them half a year to adopt to the iPhone x screen
Click to expand...

imagine Apple iMessage for Android - feature parity across in the time of all the Android mayhem of disparate sms messaging between manufacturers just 4-6yrs ago. Imagine how much mindshare Apple could’ve had. Maybe it could’ve destroyed WhatsApp before its mega stance after Alphabet purchase of it.
 
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