WhatsApp rolls out voicemail-style missed call messages, new AI tools

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has announced a series of new features aimed at improving user communication, media sharing and overall app experience.

According to a company blog post, the most prominent addition is a new missed call messages feature, designed as an alternative to traditional voicemail.

The update allows users to record a short voice or video note when a contact is unable to answer a call. WhatsApp says the feature is intended to make staying in touch with friends and family easier and may eventually render conventional voicemail unnecessary.

The platform has also expanded its voice chat reactions, enabling users to react with new emojis without disrupting ongoing conversations. In addition, the company has introduced an update to speaker controls during WhatsApp voice calls.

Meta further announced improvements to Meta AI image generation within WhatsApp. The enhanced tool now runs on a newer image-generation model, which the company claims will improve the quality and feel of generated pictures. WhatsApp users will also gain the ability to animate images, converting any picture into a short video clip based on written instructions or prompts.

For desktop users, WhatsApp is rolling out a new media tab, making it easier to locate documents, links and media files shared across chats. The app’s link preview experience has also been upgraded for clearer and more informative display.