Mashable: WhatsApp is continuously striving to enhance the user experience by introducing new features more frequently. Once again, the popular messaging application is preparing to introduce a new feature that will improve the overall file sharing process.

WhatsApp is developing a new "Nearby Share" feature for iOS and Android that will allow users to share files offline, similar to Apple's AirDrop. While Android users can automatically detect nearby devices, iPhone users must scan a QR code to initiate file sharing. The feature is… pic.twitter.com/qrw1moNrKp — HM Journal (@thehmjournal) July 23, 2024

According to a report from WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is currently developing a file sharing feature that will allow users to share documents, photos, videos, and other files with nearby devices without the need for an Internet connection. Following its release on Android, this update has now been made available to iOS users. However, the Android version is still pending release. Both the Android and iOS versions are currently in the beta testing phase.

The report included an image of the beta testing application, displaying a scanner on the screen that will facilitate the sharing of photos, videos, and other files. This new feature will be known as Nearby Share. The screenshot also indicates that WhatsApp is contemplating the addition of a new feature to its iOS app, enabling users to share files with nearby individuals, akin to Apple's Airdrop function. There are plans to roll out this update in a future version of the app.

The file sharing feature on WhatsApp for iOS uses a unique method, requiring users to scan a QR code to share files, unlike the Android version which utilizes nearby device detection technology to enable file transfer.

Collaborating with individuals in close proximity without depending on an online connection will greatly improve the process of transferring files. This functionality proves to be particularly beneficial when exchanging large files such as high-resolution images, videos, and important documents, especially in regions with limited or unstable internet access, where WhatsApp may not operate effectively. It offers a practical solution for sharing files in such circumstances.

The functionality is rumored to be compatible with various platforms, such as Android and iOS, regardless of the device type used by users or their contacts. Furthermore, it is designed to work with end-to-end encryption, guaranteeing that only the designated recipients have access to the content.

It should be emphasized that this functionality is currently in its initial development phase. As a result, it is still undergoing development, and the final version may vary significantly from the current version.

Mark Zuckerberg announced new features and enhancements for Meta AI on WhatsApp!

Mark Zuckerberg just announced significant updates for Meta AI to enhance user interaction and personalization through new Imagine editing features.https://t.co/V3AzA9fMma pic.twitter.com/lztwu67nCk — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 23, 2024

It is conceivable that the iOS version will eventually implement a comparable method to the Android version, utilizing proximity device identification rather than QR code scanning.