WhatsApp makes importing backups easier and rolls out ‘hide online’

WhatsApp is working on some improvements for the Android app. Importing backups of the messaging service should be easier. In addition, the beta service has started rolling out the ability to hide online status.

WhatsApp lets you import chats

A handy improvement is on the way for WhatsApp. New messages from Wabetainfo show that the messaging service will have an option that allows you to import locally stored backups. A handy addition if you have saved the backup file on the phone yourself. Now when you want to restore a backup, it will be imported from the Google account associated with the device. An option to import a local backup is missing. That should be made easier in the future. In addition, this option can come in handy if you ever lose access to your Google account, for example.

Online status

It has long been possible to hide from others when you were last on WhatsApp. However, when you have the application open, others will still see ‘online’. A function that also hides this has been in development for some time, but it is still not usable. In the latest beta version for Android, several users will see this option. Slowly but surely, the feature seems to be actually coming. This option can be seen in Settings > Chats > Privacy > Last Seen, showing a new screen with the option to turn off the online view. You can choose whether this is visible to everyone, or that the same setting is adopted as with the last seen view.