The ability to watch videos in Status Updates at 2x speed was discovered by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp’s iOS beta version. Users will be able to play a video at twice the speed as long as they press and hold the right side of the screen while watching.
It is not yet known when the feature, which is currently in testing, will be made available to all users.
Why it matters
The feature gives iOS users watching short Status videos the option to change the playback speed instantly, making content consumption more dependent on the user’s preference. Since the press-and-hold gesture on the right side can be used without requiring a separate settings menu, it could provide convenience, particularly for those who follow a large number of Status updates. However, the fact that the function is being tested only in the iOS beta version does not mean that the overall user experience has changed at this stage. The key question that remains open is how long the testing process will last and whether the feature will be made available to all users. Therefore, the current finding points to WhatsApp’s efforts to improve the viewing experience for Status videos rather than a finalized change to the app.
Background
WhatsApp is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 6 articles mentioning the name in the last 90 days; the most recent one is dated 12 September 2026.