WhatsApp has announced a set of twelve new features designed to improve functionality and user experience across the platform. The updates target various aspects of the messaging app, including group chats, media sharing, event planning, and communication tools.
One of the notable additions is an online status indicator within group chats. This shows which members are currently active, offering more visibility during conversations.
Group interactions are also being streamlined with a new “Highlights” feature, which lets users customize notifications to only include mentions, replies, or messages from saved contacts.
Event management capabilities, previously available in groups, have been extended to individual chats. Users can now create events, RSVP with options such as “maybe,” add a plus-one, set end times, and pin event details within conversations.
Improvements have also been made to message reactions. Users can now tap on someone else’s emoji reaction to apply the same one to a message.
iOS users gain additional functionality with in-app document scanning, cropping, and saving, as well as the ability to set WhatsApp as the default messaging and calling app in supported regions.
Video calling receives updates, including pinch-to-zoom during video playback on iOS and the option to add participants to an ongoing 1-to-1 video call from the chat interface. Video calls now offer higher-quality performance, automatically adjusting to HD when bandwidth allows.
For channel admins, WhatsApp has introduced the ability to share short videos up to 60 seconds long and generate QR codes for easier channel sharing. Voice message transcripts for channels are also being added, offering an alternative way for followers to access content.
A new set of chat filters—All, Unread, and Groups—has been introduced to help users organize their chat lists more efficiently. WhatsApp is also rolling out a voice chat feature for large groups. This allows members to join ongoing conversations without initiating a full group call, minimizing disruption to other users.
