WhatsApp Updates Attachment Menu With Faster Photo Access

WhatsApp continues refining its user experience by combining the rollout of AI features with ongoing interface design improvements; One of the latest releases focuses on simplifying and accelerating media sharing and the new changes have recently been made available to some Android users through the beta program.

The update brings a redesigned attachment and sharing menu within the app. Previously, users needed to open specific options (such as the gallery) to browse and select their media (photos os videos); With the new layout, they will be able to have a more streamlined and visually intuitive experience, alongside shortcuts for Location, Contacts, and Events, the menu now automatically displays recent photos and videos stored on the device.

This allows users to select and share recent media directly from the attachment menu, eliminating the need to open the full gallery interface, making media sharing faster and more efficient, especially for users who frequently send recent photos or videos in their individual chats or groups.

Beyond speed, the new interface also supports better decision-making; By displaying recent images immediately, users can quickly review their latest photos and decide whether to share one of them or capture a new photo on the spot, reducing unnecessary navigation and minimizing the time spent browsing through the gallery.

Despite the faster workflow, WhatsApp preserves its existing editing process; When a pic or video is selected, the content is not sent automatically—Instead, the app opens the media editing screen, allowing users to add drawings, stickers, text, or filters before sending. This ensures that users retain full control over customization and presentation.

Another change comes through a new terminology in the attachment menu for the option previously called “Documents”, which now has been renamed to “Files”, pointing toward a broader approach to content sharing. This adjustment makes it clearer that any kind of file can be shared, not just traditional doc formats.

As of now, this redesigned sharing menu is still in an experimental phase and is available only to a limited group of beta testers on Android. It has not yet been released to all beta users, but Meta/WhatsApp has been rolling out changes relatively quickly, indicating that wider availability is likely as testing continues and feedback is evaluated.

Filed in Cellphones. Read more about Instant Messaging, Meta, Social Media and Whatsapp.