WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will make file-sharing easier, even when there’s no internet connection.
According to recent leaks, the messaging app is working on a way to let people share photos, videos, music, and documents offline.
The feature will use Bluetooth to detect nearby phones that also have the feature enabled. WhatsApp will ask for permission to scan for nearby devices and access the phone’s system files and photo gallery. Location permission will also be required to check if other devices are close enough to connect with.
Despite these permissions, WhatsApp says it will mask phone numbers and encrypt the shared files, making sure the sharing process is safe and secure.
Once the feature is enabled, users will be able to share files with nearby devices without needing an internet connection. This could be particularly useful in areas with limited or no internet connectivity or for sharing large files that would take a long time to transfer over a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
WhatsApp has not yet announced when the offline file-sharing feature will be available to users, but it is expected to be rolled out in a future update.
The new feature is similar to how peer-to-peer file-sharing apps like SHAREit used to work. These apps allowed users to share files between devices without needing a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
