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WhatsApp is rolling out a way to watch video Status updates at 2x speed on Android: press and hold the right side of the Status screen, then release to return to normal playback. The feature is reported in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.40.4, but access is gradual and no general-release date has been confirmed.
How to watch a WhatsApp Status video at 2x speed
- Open a video Status in WhatsApp on Android.
- Press and hold the right side of the Status screen. While you hold, the video plays at 2x speed.
- Lift your finger to resume normal-speed playback.
WABetaInfo reported this gesture on October 8, 2026, for WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.40.4. The report describes faster playback only while the screen is held; it does not describe a setting that permanently changes Status playback speed.
Why the 2x control may not appear
The feature is being distributed gradually to Android beta testers, according to WABetaInfo. Having the reported beta build does not guarantee access: the account also needs to be included in the staged rollout. The report does not establish a country-by-country availability map.
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What this changes—and what it does not
Status is WhatsApp’s short-lived sharing format. Meta says a Status disappears after 24 hours and may include photos, videos, GIFs, text, and more. The 2x feature is specifically about video Status playback; it does not change how long a Status remains available.
This is separate from speed controls for voice messages. WhatsApp announced that voice messages can play at 1.5x or 2x in 2022. Those controls apply to voice messages, not the reported press-and-hold gesture for Status videos.
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What is known about availability
The current report ties the feature to Android beta version 2.26.40.4 and says access is expanding among testers over the coming weeks. It does not confirm stable-channel availability, availability on other platforms, or a date for a wider release. For a meaningful comparison, check the platform, whether the app is beta or stable, the build number, and whether the account has received the rollout.
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- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
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