WhatsApp’s useful ability to forward media files is one of the app’s most popular features on both iOS and Android. The function allows you to instantly forward any images, videos, or GIFs received from one account to another. These forwarded mails, however, could never have any original text caption. This could change in the future with a WhatsApp upgrade.
A new version of WhatsApp Beta, first reported by WABetaInfo, features the option to forward media-rich messages with text captions. This function is still being tested and was apparently only made available to a small group of beta testers.
However, this is good news for all WhatsApp users. Because the functionality is in testing, it may only be a matter of time before we see it in action. The useful innovation will make it easier to share photographs, videos, and GIFs with context, as users will be able to forward both received and previously sent messages to other people without having to retype the caption.
WABetaInfo also published a screenshot of the feature in action. According to the image, the feature will allow users to either forward a media message with the caption or make quick changes to the caption before forwarding the message. However, the presence of a text box in the UI at this point suggests users may be able to make quick changes to the caption before forwarding the message.
Currently available only to select Android beta testers, the functionality could ultimately make its way to iOS beta users before being published on the stable channel, when most WhatsApp users will be able to use it.