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Great news for Android users! WhatsApp is introducing a powerful new shortcut.
Siddhi Jain | June 18, 2026 5:15 PM CST

WhatsApp New Feature: WhatsApp is currently working on a new home screen widget. Once released, this widget will allow users to send voice messages to any contact without opening the app.

WhatsApp New Feature: If you use WhatsApp on an Android phone, you are in for a treat. A new feature is coming soon that will make using one of WhatsApp's most powerful features even faster. You won't need to open the app or search for a contact; simply unlocking your phone will let you access this key WhatsApp feature directly from the home screen. This will save time and get the job done in a flash.

New shortcut for voice messages

According to reports, WhatsApp is developing a new shortcut for voice messages. This shortcut will appear directly on the phone's home screen, allowing users to record voice messages with a single tap. Once recorded, the voice note can be shared with any contact; users can even select one or multiple recipients at once. This feature will be incredibly useful for those who frequently send voice notes throughout the day, as they won't need to open WhatsApp to send them. There is also speculation that the shortcut might allow users to record voice notes and upload them directly to their status.

When will this shortcut be available?

The shortcut is currently under development and has not yet been rolled out to beta testers. It will be launched to the general public a few weeks after the beta rollout, so it is estimated that it could take a few months for the feature to arrive. In addition to the voice message shortcut, the company may also introduce a home screen widget for status updates, giving users the option to update their status without opening the app.

Group Audio and Video Calling Feature Arrives on WhatsApp Web

Alongside home screen widgets, WhatsApp is also upgrading its web version. The company recently rolled out support for group audio and video calls on WhatsApp Web. Previously, the platform only supported voice and video calls between individual users, but now up to 32 users can join such calls simultaneously.


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