WhatsApp is deploying over twelve new functions across its messaging platform, enhancing how users interact in chats, calls, and channels. The updates introduce capabilities aimed at making communication, particularly group chats, more organized and expressive, with some features echoing those on platforms like Discord and Slack. This feature rollout is expected to reach all users gradually over the coming weeks.
Refining Group Dynamics
Addressing the common bustle of group conversations is a clear focus in this update wave. Participants will now see an “Online” count beneath the group name, indicating how many members are actively using the app at that moment. This numerical indicator, similar to Discord’s presence feature, provides a quick glance at group activity levels.
However, WhatsApp hasn’t clarified if users can hide their individual activity from this group count, and the feature doesn’t display which specific members are online, maintaining a degree of privacy. To help manage notification flow, a new “Notify for” setting now allows users to select “Highlight,” restricting alerts to only @mentions, replies directed at them, or messages from contacts saved in their address book. Alternatively, selecting “All” retains the existing behavior of notifying for every message.
Building on these refinements, interaction within groups also sees adjustments. Echoing functionality in Slack or Discord, users can now simply tap an existing emoji reaction left by another participant to quickly add the same reaction. This provides a quicker way to concur or acknowledge posts within the chat flow.
Event planning, previously available within WhatsApp Communities since May 2024, now extends into standard group chats and even one-on-one conversations. This expansion includes options for attendees to RSVP as “maybe,” invite a plus-one guest, and for organizers to set specific end dates and times for events. Additionally, created events can be pinned within a chat for persistent visibility, making them easier for participants to find.
Calling and Channel Upgrades
Beyond text chats, WhatsApp has implemented technical improvements for video calls, aiming for what the company describes as “more reliable and higher quality” performance. This involves optimized connection routing and better bandwidth detection to support HD video more consistently and reduce dropped calls or freezing. For iPhone users specifically, a pinch-to-zoom function is now available during video calls, allowing a closer look at participants’ video feeds. Adding participants to an ongoing one-on-one call is also simplified; users can add another person directly from the chat thread by tapping the call icon.
The Updates tab, which houses Status updates and broadcast-style Channels, also sees new tools. Channel administrators gain the ability to record and share short video notes, up to 60 seconds in length, directly with their followers. For added accessibility, voice messages shared in Channels will now feature automatically generated transcriptions. Admins can also generate and share unique QR codes to easily share a direct link to their channel, simplifying audience growth.
Platform-Specific Additions
Apple’s platform receives two exclusive features in this update round. A document scanner is now integrated within the WhatsApp attachment tray on iPhones, permitting users to scan, crop, and save documents without leaving the WhatsApp application. Furthermore, taking advantage of capabilities introduced in iOS 18.2, WhatsApp version 25.8.74 and later allows iPhone owners to designate WhatsApp as their default application for initiating calls and messages directly from the iOS Contacts app. It’s important to note, that this primarily affects outbound actions initiated from the Contacts app; standard incoming cellular calls and SMS/iMessages still route to Apple’s native Phone and Messages applications.
