TikTok messages will soon support audio, photos, and videos.

Users will be able to send voice messages of up to 60 seconds

Tiktok said it will offer users new ways to interact with others via direct messages. Users will now be able to send voice messages and share up to nine photos or videos in one-on-one and group chats on the platform.

With Voice Messages, users can record and send voice messages up to 60 seconds long, TikTok told

TechCrunch.

The launch of this feature comes at a time when services like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Apple’s Messages app already allow the ability to send voice messages to others via direct messages, according to a report by the website reviewed by Al Arabiya Business.

TikTok said it will roll out this feature in the next few weeks. It makes sense for the platform to add voice messages to its direct messages, especially as more and more people embrace this method of communication.

As for sharing photos and videos, users can either take a photo or video with their phone’s camera or select a photo from their camera roll to share with others. They can also choose to edit the content before sending it.

For user safety, no one can send a photo or video as the initial message when asking to start a conversation. Additionally, when someone chooses to send a photo or video, TikTok will remind them to protect their privacy and be mindful of who they are sending this content to.

While direct messages on TikTok are not available to users under the age of 16, the company adds protections for users between the ages of 16 and 18. For example, TikTok has automated systems in place to detect and block images containing inappropriate content so that the recipient cannot view them.

With these new features, TikTok seeks to strengthen its position as a platform that goes beyond entertainment, becoming a platform where users interact regularly, not just by sharing short videos.

This move comes as TikTok continues to develop its messaging service. The platform launched group chats, allowing users to chat with up to 32 people at once. TikTok also recently introduced dedicated chat rooms that enable content creators and their followers to communicate and interact with each other.