WhatsApp to Reportedly Support Motion Photos on Android

WhatsApp is reportedly testing the support of motion photos on Android. This was discovered thanks to the recent launch of the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.9 update.

As first reported by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is developing a feature where users may share motion photos. This format of media is similar to a GIF. On Android, users are able to create short motion photos using a few seconds of video that are captured with each photo. This feature is already being supported on iOS using Apple’s Live Photos feature.

Within the Android 2.24.24.9 update, it’s been discovered that support for motion photos will be supported across a future update. Once accessible, users will be able to select and share these motion photos using an Android device. Motion photos are currently available on Samsung Galaxy devices. On Google’s Pixel, this form of media is commonly referred to as Top Shot.

It’s likely that WhatsApp will support the sharing of motion photos across individual chats as well as group threads. Sharing motion photos, users will be able to capture the context of a moment leading up to a photo being taken. Just like with Apple’s Live Photos, these brief seconds can really provide some levity or heart within an image. Those who receive a motion photo in their chart will likely see it in its animated form, even if the feature is not supported on their device. On iOS, these images will likely appear as a Live Photo.

Currently, the support for motion photos is only being tested. As a piece of in-development software, it’s not currently available to all WhatsApp users as of yet. However, motion photos will likely become accessible in a future software update. Unfortunately, there’s currently no telling when that will become available.