WhatsApp for Android Tests Long-Press Chat Preview to Avoid Read Receipts
WhatsApp on Android is preparing a new way for users to read messages without sending the usual blue checkmarks that indicate the message has been seen.
Researchers at Android Authority found the upcoming capability inside beta version 2.26.44.12. When a user long-presses on a chat, a floating preview card appears showing the most recent messages. The card supports scrolling, allowing the recipient to review the conversation history without marking any messages as read.
Because the preview operates outside the main chat window, the sender continues to see the messages as unread. This behavior gives users more control over when they officially open a conversation.
The long-press gesture also brings up an updated context menu beneath the preview card. Available actions include pinning the chat, archiving it, turning off notifications, marking the chat as unread, and deleting the conversation.
Currently, the same gesture on Android only selects the chat and displays the standard action bar. On iPhone, WhatsApp already offers a preview, but users cannot scroll through messages inside that window. The discovered Android implementation therefore provides greater flexibility.
The feature is still under development and has not been enabled for regular beta testers. No release timeline has been announced, and the presence of the code in the APK does not guarantee it will reach all users.
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