WhatsApp adds quick-reply feature to Android app beta

The latest beta of WhatsApp for Android makes it possible to respond to a message directly from a notification. Google already offers such a function in the developer version of Android N, but WhatsApp’s quick-reply also works in current Android versions.

The ability to respond directly can be found in WhatsApp version 2.12.560, Android Police writes. The current version in the Google Play Store is 2.12.510. The quick-reply feature is likely to be available to all Android users soon. Interested parties can also sign up to receive test versions of WhatsApp via the Play Store.

When using the new WhatsApp version, a reply button can be seen under a notification with a received message. By pressing it, a window will be opened with a small input field, in which a message can be typed. It is also possible to record a sound message and to add emoticons.

In the developer version of Android N, it is already possible to respond directly from a notification with the current version of WhatsApp. However, that is about functionality that is built directly into Android. Because WhatsApp itself adds such a function, the ability to respond quickly can be made available to all users; even if their phone doesn’t get an update to Android N in the future.

In Apple iOS, since version 9.1 of the mobile operating system, it is possible to respond to WhatsApp messages from notifications.

Respond from a notification in WhatsApp, images via Android Police.