WhatsApp Rolls Out Major Update With 12 Exciting New Features
WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging platforms outside the United States, has announced a significant update packed with new features and improvements. This latest rollout introduces a dozen enhancements aimed at improving conversations, group chats, channels, and more.
Although WhatsApp frequently updates its app—particularly on iOS and Android—these updates are rarely accompanied by detailed changelogs. That is beginning to change. In its first official “feature roundup,” WhatsApp has outlined a comprehensive list of changes in a new blog post.
These include upgrades to group chats, event creation, channels, a new online status indicator, advanced notification controls, and other user experience enhancements. The updates indicate a clear effort by WhatsApp to better compete with other messaging platforms, such as Discord.
According to the company, some of these features have already launched, while others will be available soon. Earlier this year, WhatsApp introduced customizable chat themes. Building on that, this new update adds several tools designed to improve functionality and engagement across the app.
One of the most anticipated features is a real-time online indicator. This addition will show how many participants are actively using the app, offering increased transparency—especially in group chats. Users will still have the ability to manage their online visibility through privacy settings.
Group chat functionality is also receiving attention. WhatsApp has introduced the ability to highlight notifications, helping users manage message alerts more effectively. The new “Notify for” setting allows users to choose between receiving notifications for all messages, only @mentions and replies, or messages from saved contacts.
Several new features center on enhancing communication. Users can now quickly +1 a message reaction by simply tapping it—similar to features found on other platforms. Event management has also been expanded. In addition to scheduling events within group chats, users can now create events in individual conversations.
Further updates include iPhone-specific improvements. These include native document scanning, the ability to set WhatsApp as the default messaging app on the latest version of iOS, pinch-to-zoom during video calls, and support for adding an additional person to an ongoing call.
Quality-of-life enhancements also make an appearance. Video calls are now smoother, and performance has been optimized across the app. A new feature for channels allows admins to record and share short video notes of up to 60 seconds. Channels will also benefit from voice message transcription and a scannable QR code for easier follower access.
Describing the video call upgrade, WhatsApp stated:
“We’ve upgraded our technology to make your video calls more reliable and higher quality. Our optimized routing system finds the best connection path, reducing dropped calls and video freezing. And our improved bandwidth detection quickly upgrades your video to HD quality for a more enjoyable experience.”
With these enhancements, WhatsApp is gradually evolving to resemble enterprise communication tools like Slack and Discord. Users are encouraged to update to the latest version on iOS or Android to take full advantage of these new features.
Lastly, WhatsApp issued a reminder regarding platform compatibility. Support for older iPhone models—such as the iPhone 6—will end on May 5, 2025. Users are advised to update their devices to continue using WhatsApp. For those with unsupported phones, it may be time to consider an upgrade.
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WhatsApp Rolls Out Major Update With 12 Exciting New Features
