WhatsApp has rolled out a fresh update for iOS beta testers, finally adding native Live Photos support. The feature arrives with version 25.24.10.72 of the app via TestFlight and is currently available to a limited group of users.
Until now, iPhone users sending Live Photos through WhatsApp saw them converted into static images or compressed GIFs, losing both movement and sound. With this new update, Live Photos are delivered in their original format, preserving the motion and audio for a more authentic, immersive experience.
How It Works
When sharing a Live Photo, WhatsApp now displays a small Live Photo icon on the thumbnail. Recipients can tap a dedicated button to play it back in its full dynamic form. If they choose to save it to their device, the image will remain a Live Photo inside the iOS Photos app.
Interestingly, WhatsApp has also built in cross-platform compatibility:
- On Android, received Live Photos appear as motion photos.
- Conversely, motion photos sent from Android are delivered to iOS users as Live Photos.
This seamless conversion eliminates fragmentation between platforms, ensuring users no longer need to worry about compatibility when exchanging dynamic photos.
Extra Controls
For those who prefer to keep things simple, WhatsApp is also adding a toggle in the gallery sheet that allows users to send Live Photos as static images instead.
Availability
The feature is currently in limited testing, with access granted to select beta testers on iOS. Some stable users have also reported receiving it, suggesting a wider rollout may not be far off.
This update follows similar improvements on Android, where WhatsApp recently enabled motion photo support. Together, these changes bring parity to both platforms and make sharing dynamic moments across iOS and Android far smoother.
