WhatsApp wants to replace your email inbox: Update lets you send files from other apps and view documents

Five updates pushed out to users in latest update for messaging app
It includes fixes for crashes and resolves storage issue on some iPhones
Users can send photos and files from other apps, including Google Drive
In addition, it allows users to further customise backgrounds, send PDFs and zoom in on videos while playing

It has already been blamed for a dramatic drop in the number of people sending text messages, and now WhatsApp is gunning for your email inbox.

As part of the latest iPhone update, the messaging service now lets users send files, including those in Google Drive, as well as PDFs.

In addition, it allows users to further customise backgrounds and zoom in on videos while playing.

As part of the latest iPhone update for WhatsApp, the messaging service now lets users send files, including those in Google Drive, as well as PDFs. In addition, it allows users to further customise backgrounds and zoom in on videos while playing

Pushed out to iOS platforms this week, the latest update brings a total of five new features to WhatsApp users on iPhone.

Users can now share photos, images and other files stored on other third party apps - including iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft’s OneDrive - with their contacts on WhatsApp.

Beyond photos, the app has added the ability to send and received PDF files. Once users receive the file they can see an in-line preview.

Tapping the preview image while it is displayed will open the PDF in the iOS document viewer.

LATEST WHATSAPP UPDATE

WhatsApp's latest update, 2.12.15, gives more options to customise backgrounds.

The most significant update is that it enables file transfer from third party apps, including Google Drive and Dropbox.

Developers have improved the design for browsing photos and videos.

Users can also zoom into videos while they are playing to get extra detail.

The latest update also make the app more customisable, giving the option to change backgrounds, while chats can be customised to stock images, solid colours, or photos from your library.

To change the background, users can go into Settings, select wallpaper and choose one of the solid colours.

The developers claim to have improved the design for browsing photos and videos in version 2.12.15.

In addition to the new functions, users will be able to zoom into videos while they are playing to get that extra detail.

Aside from the usual update fixes, it also cleared up a previous issue which was causing the app to take up too much storage on iPhones.

Android users can access the latest features by downloading beta versions of the update on Google Play.

Users can now share photos, images and other files stored on other third party apps – including iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft’s OneDrive – with their contacts on WhatsApp (pictured)

WhatsApp users can now customise the app even more in the new update. To change the background, users go into Settings, select wallpaper and can choose one of the solid colours (pictured left to right)

Last month, WhatsApp announced it will no longer support a range of older operating platforms by the end of the year.

In a blog post, the messaging app said it will be phasing out support for Blackberry, Nokia and older Windows and Android models by the end of 2016.

According to the Facebook-owned firm, the older smartphone platforms can no longer keep up with the latest features being rolled out for the app.

The firm wrote: 'As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use.'

The full list of platforms being left behind includes: BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10; Nokia S40; Nokia Symbian S60; Android 2.1 and Android 2.2; and Windows Phone 7.1

FIVE WHATSAPP TRICKS THAT MAKE LIFE EASIER

WhatsApp now claims to have more than one billion users around the world. Stock image

See when your messages are read: Go to a chat, tap and hold on any of the messages you've sent, followed by the info option.

Mute group chats: Tap on the group chat and the name to bring up 'Group Info', where you will find the option to 'Mute' the chat for eight hours to one week or even a year.

Shortcuts to conversations: Tap and hold on the chat and a tab will pop up.

Select the 'Add Conversation Shortcut' option and the chat in question will appear as the person's profile photo on your mobile desk top – can only be used by Android users.

Send public messages privately: On the top-left hand corner just below the search bar, you'll notice a 'Broadcast Lists'.

Tap on it for the option to create a new list of contacts you want your message to go out to, and message away like you would normally.

Make calls: Make sure you're using the latest version of WhatsApp.

You should see a new 'Calls' tab alongside the usual 'Chats' and 'Contacts'.

Just send a voice call invite to another WhatsApp user and you'll be chatting away in no time.

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