WhatsApp Rolling Out QR Codes for Contacts, Dark Mode for Mac App, and More

whatsappiconcleanedWhatsApp has announced it is rolling out a number of new features across its app, web, and desktop variants, including a QR code scanning option for contacts and a new Dark mode theme that extends to computers.

WhatsApp has been extensively testing the use of QR codes on mobile to let users add contacts to the messaging app instead of typing in digits one by one, and it sounds like it's almost ready to go live.

Currently WhatsApp users must first add a contact via the Contacts tab in Apple's Phone app. Only after that can they open WhatsApp and send them a message. Using a QR code instead would skip this step and make the process a lot more convenient.

Meanwhile, following the recent added ability to video chat with up to eight people, WhatsApp is bringing new improvements to group video calls. It's now easier to focus on someone in a call by pressing and holding to maximize their video to full screen. There's also a new video icon for group chats of 8 or less, making it easier to start a group video call with a single tap.


WhatsApp says animated stickers are one of the fastest growing ways people communicate on the platform, so it's also rolling out "more fun and expressive" animated sticker packs. In addition, KaiOS users can now enjoy the popular feature that lets them share updates that disappear after 24 hours.

Finally, while Dark Mode on WhatsApp for iPhone arrived earlier this year, the same feature is now coming to the web version of the chat platform as well as WhatsApp for Mac.

WhatsApp says these features are rolling out to users over the next few weeks. WhatsApp is a free download for ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and Mac available on the iOS ‌App Store [Direct Link] and Mac App Store [Direct Link], respectively‌.

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Top Rated Comments

Ryan_Mak Avatar
73 months ago
Still waiting on an iPad and Apple Watch app.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marbles1 Avatar
73 months ago
WhatsApp is such a great example of network effects. A technically poor app that is only used widely becuase it’s used widely.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RichMercer Avatar
73 months ago
And yet there's still no iPad app. ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cupcakes2000 Avatar
73 months ago
Yes. No iPad app is a ridiculous pita
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LiE_ Avatar
73 months ago
+1 for iPad app.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sn00p Avatar
73 months ago
This is just going to be a thread full of "And still no iPad App".

But yes, still no iPad app. (And that's the reason I stopped using WhatsApp)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)