WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that suggests recently added photos and videos from a user’s phone gallery when they open a conversation. The feature, called Recent Media Suggestions, is designed to make sharing media quicker by bringing the latest gallery item directly into the chat interface, reducing the need to open the attachment menu and browse through files. It is arriving for users on both Android and iOS through the latest versions of the application, although availability currently depends on the account and the gradual rollout. The feature builds on WhatsApp’s existing sticker suggestions, which can display relevant stickers above the keyboard based on emojis entered by users. With the latest addition, the platform is extending its suggestion system beyond stickers to photos and videos stored on a device. When a user opens a conversation after adding new media to their gallery, WhatsApp can display a thumbnail of the most recently added item as a quick sharing option. The feature is intended to reduce the steps involved in sending recently captured or saved content, particularly for users who frequently share images and videos through individual and group conversations. However, the suggestion does not mean that the selected media will be shared automatically, and users can continue using WhatsApp normally without interacting with it.
WhatsApp is testing two different ways of presenting Recent Media Suggestions in the chat interface. In one version, a small notification appears above the message bar as soon as a conversation is opened. The notification displays a thumbnail of the latest photo or video in the device gallery and gives users the option to open it for sharing. It also includes a close button, allowing users to dismiss the suggestion without interrupting the conversation. In the second version, WhatsApp temporarily replaces the camera icon beside the message field with a thumbnail of the suggested media. Tapping the thumbnail opens the selected item for review. Users will receive one of these interface variations rather than both at the same time. The feature does not require users to search through their gallery before accessing the suggested item, but it also does not remove the existing options for manually selecting photos and videos. The two designs provide a shortcut within the chat screen while leaving the usual messaging functions available. Users who do not want to share the suggested item can simply ignore the notification or continue typing and sending messages as they normally would. The feature is therefore an additional option rather than a replacement for WhatsApp’s existing media-sharing process.
An important part of the feature is the additional review step before any media is sent. Tapping a suggested thumbnail does not immediately share the photo or video with the recipient. Instead, WhatsApp opens its drawing and editing interface, where users can check the selected content before deciding whether to send it. They can add a caption or stickers and make other available changes before sharing the file. If the thumbnail was opened by mistake, users can leave the editor without sending anything. This is relevant because the most recent item in a phone’s gallery may not necessarily be intended for a particular conversation. The feature also does not restrict suggestions to photographs captured using a phone’s camera. WhatsApp selects the latest item added to the gallery regardless of its source or media type. As a result, the suggested thumbnail could represent a newly captured photograph, a screenshot, an image downloaded from a website, or a video saved from another application. The system focuses on the most recently added gallery item rather than filtering content according to where it originated. This means users may see different kinds of files suggested depending on their recent activity on the device. The editing screen gives them an opportunity to review the content before sharing it, rather than sending a file simply because they tapped the suggestion.
The feature is enabled automatically when it becomes available on an eligible account, but users who prefer not to receive these suggestions can switch it off through WhatsApp’s settings. To disable it, users can open Settings, go to Chats, and turn off the Recent media suggestions option. Once disabled, the application will stop displaying the latest gallery items as suggestions when conversations are opened. WhatsApp is distributing the feature gradually across Android and iOS, so installing the latest version does not guarantee that every user will receive it immediately. Some accounts may already have access, while others may have to wait as the rollout expands over the coming weeks. The company has not announced a specific date for when the feature will become available to all users. The addition follows WhatsApp’s continuing effort to make frequently used messaging functions easier to access through its chat interface. Rather than introducing a separate media-sharing system, Recent Media Suggestions places a shortcut alongside existing conversation controls. Its usefulness will largely depend on how often people share recently saved content and whether they prefer having a gallery thumbnail appear when opening chats. Users who do not find it helpful can disable it, while those who receive the update can review suggested files before choosing to share them.
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