WhatsApp may soon allow us to recall and edit sent messages: Report

1. WhatsApp is reportedly getting Gmail's coolest feature: Recalling sent messages.

A. According to a report in WABetaInfo, the Facebook-owned messaging service is testing a new feature that will allow users to 'recall' as well as edit sent messages. This means users can 'revoke' or 'edit' a sent message in case they have a change of mind. The message in case 'recalled', will reportedly be deleted from the recipient's smartphone as well.

B. The functionality is reported to have appeared on WhatsApp beta version 2.17.1.869 on iOS. In a tweet, WABetaInfo also claims that the changelog with these 'upcoming features' too is available. "Changelog of #WhatsApp #beta for #iOS 2.17.1.869 is available now!" goes the tweet.

As per the changelog on pastebin.com, following are the improvements and features coming:

1. Updated Arabic, Catalan, Czech, Danish, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Marathi, Norwegian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese localizations.

2. Added Swift Libraries.

3. WhatsApp 2.17.1 is now compiled using the iOS 10.2 SDK.

4. Some internal improvements that allow to WhatsApp to manage groups better.
Added the possibility to mute a status (already added in Android). #hidden
Improvements to play audio.

5. Added the possibility to edit messages that you already sent! You cannot edit very old messages. #hidden

6. Added the possibility to revoke messages. You cannot revoke very old messages. #hidden

7. Added the possibility to remove a status. #hidden

8. Many improvements for the backup feature.

9. Many improvements for encrypting media in the backup.

10. Added Low Light Mode for WhatsApp Camera. It is automatic.

11. Many improvements for Status, in particular to verify if there are new statuses.

12. Many improvements for Status, in particular for the badge.

From the screenshots shared by WABetaInfo, it appears that the 'Revoke' option will show at the same menu where you have 'Reply', 'Star', 'Forward', 'Delete', 'Message' and 'Speak' options.

However, so far it is not clear how much time the users will have to 'recall' a sent message. It is likely to be within seconds, same as that in Gmail. Another condition that seems likely is that the recipient should not have seen the message. This means the 'recall window' will be available only till the recipient reads the message.