Voicemails are a lost art. Nowadays, everything can be shared in a voice note or a simple text — and even written for you by an AI-powered assistant — but it appears that WhatsApp is looking to bring it back. According to WABetaInfo, Meta has revived the voicemail in its 2.25.23.21 WhatsApp beta for Android.
You’ve got voicemail
You’d think that WhatsApp might have exhausted all features in the call department, but it’s always adding more. The voicemail update builds off the back of more recent changes that allowed beta testers to set notification reminders for missed calls, or the newfound ability to schedule voice calls like we’re back in 2021.
WhatsApp isn’t reinventing the wheel here. The voicemail feature isn’t much more than a glorified voice note, but with a fancy new button to help you start recording. Should somebody not pick up a call, you’ll be greeted with the usual ‘Cancel’ or ‘Call again’ buttons, but also a new ‘Record voice message’ button.
Read More: WhatsApp’s new update reminds you when you inevitably forget to text back
It’s simply cutting out the steps involved to go from the calls tab back to the initial chat to record a note the ‘old-fashioned way’. The recipient who missed the call will still be notified of the missed call, as well as the voicemail awaiting inside the chat. The voicenote will remain after it has been heard.
There’s no telling when WhatsApp will be ready to debut the feature more widely. Some beta testers report that they’ve yet to try the feature. It’s not unheard of for WhatsApp to ditch features entirely long after their development, so temper those expectations if you’re excited for this update.
