Instant messaging service WhatsApp has started rolling out a new update for Android users that introduces a new feature called Private Reply. This new feature that allows users to send a private reply to someone in a group conversation without letting the others know is currently available only for WhatsApp for Android beta testers. The feature arrives with WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.18.355.
Notably, last year in the month of December, WhatsApp had accidentally rolled out the Private Reply feature to Windows Phone. It was available for a short period of time before being dropped completely later. It was later speculated that this feature would be rolled out for all the users soon and now, finally after nearly a year, it being rolled out to Android users.
To use the WhatsApp Private Reply feature on Android, you need to hold the message of the sender to whom you want to reply privately and then tap on the three dotted menus found on the top right corner of the app. On this menu, you will find the private reply option and once you tap on it, a separate window will open privately where you can type your message to be sent to that particular user.
In order to download the latest WhatsApp for Android beta to test the new feature, you need to be a part of the official Google Play beta programme. In addition, you can also download the beta from a third party APK site.
Meanwhile, a report by WABetaInfo states that the beta update comes with a major bug that is yet to be fixed. After installing the update, WhatsApp reportedly crashes whenever the user deletes any message from a group. So it would be better for you not to download and install this beta update right now and wait for the next version to be released. WhatsApp is expected to make a statement about the bug on this beta update and how to fix it.