WhatsApp adds new text formatting options; Blocks screenshots of profile pictures in the latest beta

WhatsApp rolled out four new text formatting options globally on Wednesday. These new options join the existing bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospaced formatting options. The new range of text tools will allow users to send messages in bullet points and numbered lists, as well as two different quote styles. The new markdown-style syntax is available on WhatsApp for Android, iOS, Web, and Mac. Along with this, the instant messaging platform is also reportedly testing a new feature to protect users from malicious entities taking screenshots of profile pictures.

Gadgets 360 staff members were able to test the new formatting options of WhatsApp for Android version 2.24.3.81 and the latest version of WhatsApp Web. Formatted text looks visually clean and adding formatting is easy. To use the bullet list, users can add a dash (-) character at the beginning of a new line. Once a space is added, it is automatically converted to a bullet point. Going to the next line adds another bullet, and to stop it, just tap the back key.

Numbered lists are easier to use – just type the number one (1) at the beginning of the line, followed by a period ( . ) and press space to start a numbered list. The list will not be triggered if a number other than one is used or the chain is broken by adding an unnumbered sentence. The third formatting option is block quotes, which adds the vertical dash character ( | ) before a sentence to emphasize it. To use it, just add the greater than symbol ( > ) and add a space to trigger it.

Finally, the last quote option is the inline quote, which displays a message in a gray bubble. To use this formatting option in WhatsApp, add the backslash character (`) before and after a sentence without adding a space between them. This will automatically trigger the inline citation formatting. These options have been rolled out globally and should reach all users in the coming days.

On the other hand, the WABetaInfo WhatsApp tracking feature noticed the service is working on a feature that will protect users’ profile photos from unauthorized screenshots by others. The feature was spotted in the Android 2.24.4.25 beta. Once enabled, others will see a black screen when they try to take a screenshot, with a message that says “I can’t take a screenshot due to app limitations.” This aims to add another layer to protect user privacy on the platform. A similar feature is available in the Facebook app for smartphones, where a user can turn on the Profile Picture Guard option in the profile picture window – once enabled, other users cannot take a screenshot of the profile page or picture.