WhatsApp users will be treated to a dozen new features in the coming days.
The most popular messaging service worldwide warned not to "miss out" on the new arrivals in a blog post published late last week. Unfortunately, not all of these features will be available to everyone with WhatsApp installed on their devices — with some specifically designed for iPhone.
Here's a brief rundown of the 12 new features coming to WhatsApp:
- 'Online' Indicator in Group Chats
- Customisable Notifications Using New "Notify For" Setting
- Improved Event Planning in Group Chats and 1:1 Conversations
- Tappable Reactions To Add Same Emoji As Others
- Document Scanning (iPhone only)
- Set WhatsApp as Default Messaging App on iPhone
- Pinch to Zoom During Video Calls (iPhone only)
- Add Contacts to Ongoing Calls
- Improved Video Call Quality Using New Optimised Routing
- Video Notes for Channel Admins (up to 60 seconds)
- Voice Message Transcripts on Channels
- QR Codes for Channels
Let's dive into some of these features in a little more detail. First up, WhatsApp has added a new indicator to Group Chats that reveals how many people are actively using the chat app in real-time. Displayed underneath the group name, it'll help you know whether any members are available for a chat without revealing specific names.
WhatsApp has rounded-up 12 of its newest additions to the most popular chat ap, many of them shown in this screenshot posted on the official WhatsApp blog
META PRESS OFFICE
It's an extension of the optional feature that informs you when an individual contact on WhatsApp was last active.
Continuing the focus on Group Chats, WhatsApp has added more granular controls — known as "Notify For" — that lets you pick between receiving all alerts or just the highlights from a conversation. It's designed to help those who are overwhelmed by group notifications.
Rather than recieve a notification for every message sent in any of the Group Chats that you've been added to, choosing the new "Highlights" option will limit notifications to @mentions, direct replies to messages you've sent, and messages from contacts saved on your device — helping you prioritise important messages.
For those who rely on WhatsApp to manage social events, neighbourhood groups, childcare services, conversations with work colleagues, sports teams and other organised group activities, the list goes on... the new Highlights feature should dramatically cut down on the number of pings you hear from the notifications on your phone. In turn, that could save your battery life too.
Meta CEO and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg puts on the Orion prototype glasses with the ability to display digital software — like calendars, WhatsApp conversations, and recipes — in your real-life surroundings. Meta acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion back in early 2014
REUTERSWhatsApp has added a faster way to react to messages. If you want to repeat an emoji that someone has already sent, there's no need to search through the complete library — simply tap on the reaction and WhatsApp will repeat the same character from your account.
Elsewhere, WhatsApp has brought its event planning capabilities to one-on-one conversations. Previously restricted to Group Chats, you can now create an event in a 1:1 chat on the app. WhatsApp has also added the ability to RSVP as "Maybe", invite a +1, and add end dates and times for gatherings that are further in the future.
Events can also be pinned inside chats for easier access, making it simpler to keep track of your plans.
These updates transform WhatsApp into a more comprehensive personal calendar tool for coordinating meetups with friends and family.
Video calling has received several improvements, with WhatsApp upgrading its technology to make calls more reliable and higher quality. The optimised routing system finds the best connection path, reducing dropped calls and video freezing, according to the Meta-owned platform.
Improved bandwidth detection quickly upgrades your video to HD quality when your internet speed allows.
iPhone users can now pinch to zoom during video calls to get a closer look at their own or others' video feeds.
You can also add someone to an ongoing one-to-one call directly from a chat thread by tapping the call icon and selecting Add To Call.
iPhone users gain exclusive access to document scanning directly within WhatsApp.
You can now scan and send documents by selecting Scan Document from the attachment tray, then follow the steps to scan, crop and save.
Another iOS-exclusive feature allows you to set WhatsApp as your default messaging and calling app.
To make this change, simply go to Settings > Default Apps and select WhatsApp. Once the change has been made any shortcuts within iOS to kickstart a new message thread or make a call will be routed via WhatsApp, rather than the Apple-designed apps like Phone and Messages.
As it stands, you can't set WhatsApp as your default SMS app on Android because WhatsApp uses your internet connection for messages, not SMS. This is a restriction imposed by Google, which states that you'll need to choose a different app like Google Messages as the default SMS platform.
If you run a Channel — a one-way broadcasting feature within the WhatsApp app, allowing users to share updates and information with a large group of followers — you're now able to record and share short videos up to 60 seconds long with your followers. These video notes function in a similar manner to those in regular chats, offering a more personal way to communicate.
You can now get written transcript of any voice messages sent within Channels when you're unable to listen to them. To expand the reach of your Channel, admins can share unique QR codes that link directly to their channel, making it easier to expand their audience across platforms.
Most of these features are now available in the latest update for WhatsApp for both iPhone and Android devices. However, some might have to wait a few weeks as the rollout completes worldwide.
Excitingly — this is just the beginning. WhatsApp has indicated that more features and updates are on the way in the coming months. The company continues to fine-tune its service to compete with other popular messaging platforms, like Telegram and Discord. To ensure you don't miss out on these enhancements, make sure your WhatsApp application is updated to the latest version.
