WhatsApp is testing an innovative way for users to report bugs or issues instantly — by simply shaking their phone.
The messaging giant has begun rolling out a “shake-to-report” tool in its Android beta (version 2.25.34.6) that allows people to quickly notify the team when something goes wrong.
Here’s how it works: when you shake your device, WhatsApp prompts a dialog box asking if you’d like to submit a problem report. If you confirm, the app takes a screenshot of your current screen and opens a form where you can describe the issue in detail.
To safeguard privacy, sensitive information such as profile pictures will be excluded from the screenshot. Moreover, users can choose to delete that screenshot before sending the report.
This streamlined reporting method enables bugs to be captured and communicated in real time — giving developers a clearer window into exactly what users are experiencing.
If you prefer not to use it, WhatsApp also provides the option to disable the shake-to-report feature in the settings.
For now, the feature is only available to beta testers. But once testing is complete, WhatsApp plans to make it available to all users.
Why This Matters
- Instant Feedback: Users can report issues the moment they encounter them, without navigating menus.
- Context-Rich Reports: The screenshot helps developers understand exactly what the user saw.
- Privacy First: Sensitive content is excluded, and users control what is sent.
- Optional: You can turn the feature off if you don’t like shake-based reporting.
Overall, this move could significantly speed up bug detection and resolution, enhancing the overall user experience.