iPhone users rejoice! WhatsApp gets long-awaited offline file sharing (almost)

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to share files with each other without needing an internet connection, similar to Apple’s AirDrop. This feature, called Nearby Share, has been in testing on the Android version of WhatsApp for a while, but it’s now coming to iPhone users as well.

Nearby Share will use an end-to-end encrypted connection to transfer files wirelessly. However, due to limitations in iOS, iPhone users will need to scan a QR code to initiate file sharing, as opposed to the Android version which can detect nearby devices automatically, according to a WABetaInfo report.