WhatsApp users already send millions of voice messages every year but now there’s a new way to communicate with contacts. The hugely popular chat app, which is now owned by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, has just announced the launch of video messages on the service which lets users make a short clip of themselves which can then be sent with one tap on the screen.

These mini movies can be up to 60 seconds long with WhatsApp hoping that it will create a fun new way to interact with contacts.

Explaining more, WhatsApp said: “Voice messages on WhatsApp changed the way people communicate by providing a quick and secure way to share your voice. We’re excited to build on this feature with new instant video messages. Now you can record and share short personal videos directly in the chat.”

WhatsApp says that sending a video message is as simple as posting a voice message. Just tap to switch to video mode, and hold to record the video.

You can also swipe up to lock and record the video hands-free. Videos will play automatically on mute when opened in a chat, and tapping on the video will start the sound. If you’re worried about privacy then the firm says that all video messages are protected with end-to-end encryption to keep them secure.

Video messages have begun rolling out and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks. That means both Android and iPhone owners will get access.

This uodate comes just weeks after WhatsApp also pushed out another upgrade aimed at stopping cold and scam calls.

The change, called Silence Unknown Callers, is designed to give users more privacy and control of their incoming calls.

It basically helps to automatically screen out spam, scams and calls from unknown people for increased protection. These calls will not ring on phones but will be visible in the Call list. This is just in case it turns out to be someone important.

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Speaking about the need to help users, WhatsApp added: “Protecting the privacy of your messages remains the driving force behind what we’re building at WhatsApp. While End-to-end encryption is the foundation to ensure your calls and messages are secure, we continue to add more layers of privacy on top.”

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