WhatsApp Enables Previewing Voice Messages Before Sending Them

  • Greg Burn

Like it or not, voice messages on WhatsApp are really popular. It’s the best way to tell something when your hands are busy, and you don’t need an immediate answer. But how do you control what you send? After the recent update, WhatsApp users can preview their voice messages before sending them. And this can save you some embarrassment.

To use this feature, start recording a voice message. While you’re holding the mic icon, drag it up to open the menu. Then, when you’re done, press the Stop icon at the center of the menu under the waveform and press Play instead. That’s it, now you can listen to what you have just recorded. Don’t be surprised if you listen to yourself for the first time and find your voice sounding unfamiliar: it’s okay. If you don’t like what you hear, you may just delete the message by tapping the recycle bin icon. Otherwise, send it with the button like you send regular text messages.

The feature is available after the recent December update on both iOS and Android devices. In web version, it functions even simpler. You don’t have to drag any buttons anywhere while recording. Just finish recording and click the Stop button, then listen to your message and either send or delete it. If you can’t see the new feature, you need to either update your app or wait for a little: as we know, WhatsApp (like other Facebook projects) rolls out updates like this gradually.

So, what’s to come to WhatsApp after that? Maybe a mini audio editor for cutting fragments from your voice messages? This would be a great alternative to rerecording long monologs because of one or two slips of the tongue.

Have you already got this feature enabled? Tried it? Has it ever turned useful to you and saved you from sending the message you would regret later? Tell us your stories in comments, and this will be a great conversation!