WhatsApp has been developing an AirDrop-like feature called Nearby Share since at least January, which was supposed to be first available for Android devices. As of this writing, the feature has not yet been released to the public.

As reported by 9to5Mac, the messaging app is trying to bring this feature to the iPhone as well. The feature was discovered in the latest beta version of iOS by WABetaInfo.

Like AirDrop, this feature would allow WhatsApp users to share photos, videos, and documents wirelessly with people nearby, without necessarily being connected to the Internet.

Apparently, the Android version can detect nearby devices, while the iOS version requires scanning a QR code to share files.

Why ask for a similar feature in WhatsApp when iOS already has AirDrop? Apparently Nearby Share allows sharing between iOS and Android.

Despite its discovery in the code, WhatsApp has not officially announced the tool, nor is there a clear timeline for when it will be released. Currently, the tool appears to be in an internal testing phase.

WhatsApp has undergone various upgrades this year, with the Android version designed to be more similar to the iOS version.

Photos and videos can now be sent in HD quality, and in May a new navigation bar was added for Android users, allowing for clearer navigation. They also updated the community feature to allow groups to plan events within the app and allow them into the calendar.

And of course, Meta has integrated AI into all of their products, including WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is available for free on the Play Store and App Store. If WhatsApp is not to your liking, see our list of WhatsApp alternatives.