WhatsApp, the widely used instant messaging app owned by Meta, is on the verge of introducing a groundbreaking feature – a file-sharing system for wireless transfers.

The beta version (2.24.2.20) of WhatsApp for Android has reportedly incorporated a file-sharing feature tailored for nearby devices, according to WABetaInfo.

To utilize this feature, both users must have the “People Nearby” screen open, allowing them to seamlessly send or receive files.

Notably, devices will only be visible to each other if their phone numbers are in close proximity.

Both the sender and receiver must have this option open on WhatsApp to initiate the transfer process.

Also, the new file-sharing feature is expected to maintain end-to-end encryption for added security, with user phone numbers hidden for enhanced privacy.

To initiate a file-sharing request, one of the users needs to open the “People Nearby” screen and shake their device.

The feature is anticipated to support file sizes of up to 2 GB and is currently undergoing internal testing at WhatsApp.

The new file-sharing feature seems particularly advantageous for transferring files between Android devices and iPhones.

This new capability, akin to Android Quick Share and Apple’s AirDrop, is not yet ready for beta testing.

Screenshots from WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.2.20 offer a glimpse of what the feature may look like once rolled out widely.

The functionality of WhatsApp’s new sharing system, including reliance on cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, and WebRTC for online and offline sharing, remains uncertain.