How to download the latest WhatsApp beta for Android

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WhatsApp Messenger screenshot
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot (Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)

WhatsApp's latest features show up in the beta app a month before they're rolled out to the general public. If you want to be the first to try out the latest WhatsApp features, here's how to download the WhatsApp beta app.

Products used in this guide

How to download the latest WhatsApp beta for Android

Usually, it takes about a month for a new feature to make its way from the beta client over to the public build. That was the case with the dark mode, and any new feature or UI change that WhatsApp is planning on rolling out will make its way to the beta channel first. If you're unwilling to wait for a particular feature to go live in the public channel, you can always download the beta app.

WhatsApp runs an official beta program on the Play Store, but that has been full for over a year and isn't taking new beta testers. Your best option instead is to sideload the latest beta APK and install the app. I'll show you how to do that below, but before you start you will have to back up your WhatsApp messages and media so that if something untoward occurs, you don't lose your chats.

Backed up your messages to Google Drive? Here's how you can sideload the latest WhatsApp for Android beta:

  1. Open Google Chrome or any web browser on your phone.
  2. Type apkmirror.com.
  3. Hit the Search box on the top right corner.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
  1. Type WhatsApp beta and hit go.
  2. Tap the Download button next to the WhatsApp Messenger beta listing.
  3. In the Download section, select the build number once again.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
  1. Tap Download APK to begin the download.
  2. Tap OK in the dialog box to let Chrome download the file.
  3. Tap Open.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
  1. You'll need to allow Chrome to install apps. Tap Settings to get started.
  2. Toggle Allow from this source to On to continue the installation.
  3. Tap Install to install the latest version of WhatsApp beta.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Once you're done installing WhatsApp, make sure you disable the setting that allows Chrome to install unknown apps. Go to Settings -> Apps & notifications -> Special app access -> Install unknown apps -> Chrome -> Toggle the setting to off.

If you ever feel like you don't want to be on the beta channel, all you need to do is uninstall the app and just download the official WhatsApp client from the Play Store.

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Harish Jonnalagadda
Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.