WhatsApp adds Snapchat-style doodle tool: Feature lets you write, draw, and add emoji to photos and videos

  • Other updates include a front-facing flash and zoom on videos
  • These are all features that Snapchat also recently released
  • The new functions are rolling out on Android phones from today, but it is unclear when they will become available for iPhone users

By Shivali Best For Mailonline

Published: 03:39 EST, 4 October 2016 | Updated: 04:53 EST, 4 October 2016

WhatsApp is becoming even more like Snapchat with the introduction of a new drawing feature.

The firm, which boasts over one billion users, announced that users would soon be able to write, draw, and add emoji on their photos.

Other updates include a front-facing camera, and video zoom - two features which Snapchat also recently introduced. 

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Users can now add emoji, and draw and write on their photos on WhatsApp
Snapchat has had a drawing function for a while, and recently introduced front-facing flash and zoom in videos

WhatsApp has announced that it will soon start offering the ability to draw over pictures within the app (pictured left), something that rival firm Snapchat, has allowed users to do for a while (pictured right)

HOW TO USE THE TOOL

To use the new features, you can take a new photo or video within WhatsApp, or choose one already on your phone.

Instead of just seeing the option to send the message, new editing tools will be displayed over the photo. 

These new functions are rolling out on Android phones from today, but it is unclear when they will become available for iPhone users.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, announced in a blog post that it was 'introducing new ways to customise and enhance the photos and videos you share with friends and family around the world.' 

To use the new features, you can take a new photo or video within WhatsApp, or choose one already on your phone.  

Instead of just seeing the option to send the message, new editing tools will be displayed over the photo. 

In the blog, WhatsApp said: 'Whether you're drawing a big red heart to show how much you miss someone or adding your favorite emoji - sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words.' 

This is not the first time that WhatsApp has appeared to copy one of Snapchat's new features. In March this year, Snapchat introduced a video calling feature. In May, WhatsApp then followed suit - although it is unclear whether it had been planning the update before Snapchat

This is not the first time that WhatsApp has appeared to copy one of Snapchat's new features. In March this year, Snapchat introduced a video calling feature. In May, WhatsApp then followed suit - although it is unclear whether it had been planning the update before Snapchat

These new camera functions are rolling out on Android phones globally from today.

It is unclear when they will become available for iPhone users, with WhatsApp simply saying it would be 'soon.'

This is not the first time that WhatsApp has appeared to copy one of Snapchat's new features. 

In March this year, Snapchat introduced a video calling feature. 

In May, WhatsApp then followed suit - although it is unclear whether it had been planning the update before Snapchat.  

 

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