WHATSAPP is an instant messaging application that allows users to send text, image, video, audio messages, as well as make voice and video calls for free via the internet.
Developed by WhatsApp Inc., which was later acquired by Facebook (now Meta Platforms) in 2014, WhatsApp is one of the most popular communication apps in the world.
WhatsApp has various hidden features that are rarely known to many people, but are very useful for improving user experience.
Here are 15 WhatsApp features that people rarely know about
1. Star Messages
You can mark important messages to quickly access them later.
How to use ita: Long press on the message you want to save, then click the star icon at the top. To see starred messages, open the menu (three dots) and select “Starred messages.”
2. Hide “Last Seen” Status from Certain People
This feature lets you hide the last time you were online from some contacts without blocking them.
Also read: 5 Effective Ways to Avoid Automatically Deleting WhatsApp Chats on Android and iPhone
How to Use It: Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Last seen and select the “My contacts except…” option to choose who can’t see.
3. Sending Messages Without Saving Numbers
You can send messages to someone without needing to save the number in contacts.
How to Use It: Use the link replace telephone_number with destination number (with country code). Example: to call an Indonesian number.
Also read: WhatsApp Develops Profile Photo Screenshot Block Feature
4. Temporary Message Mode (Disappearing Messages)
This feature allows you to set messages to automatically disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
How to Use It: Open a conversation > Press the contact name > Activate Temporary messages and select a duration.
5. Archive Feature to Hide Conversations
You can archive conversations so they don’t appear on the home screen, without deleting them.
Also read: WhatsApp Develops Telephone Features without Saving to Contact List
How to Use It: Long press the chat you want to archive, then select the archive icon above.
6. Dark Mode (Dark Mode)
This mode reduces eye strain in low light conditions and also saves battery.
How to Use It: Open Settings > Chat > Theme > Select Dark.
7. Automatic Chat Backup
WhatsApp allows you to create automatic backups on Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS) so you don’t lose data.
How to Use It: Go to Settings > Chat > Suggest chat > Set automatic backup frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly).
8. Hide Photos and Videos from Gallery
You can set media received from certain contacts not to appear in the phone gallery.
How to Use It: Open conversation > Press contact name > Disable Show media in gallery.
9. Message Scheduling (Using Third Party Apps)
Although this feature is not available natively, you can schedule WhatsApp messages using third-party apps like SKEDit (for Android).
How to Use It: Install a third-party application and follow the guide to schedule WhatsApp messages.
10. Use WhatsApp on Multiple Devices at Once
With the multi-device feature, you can use WhatsApp on up to 4 devices independently without connecting to your main phone.
How to Use It: Go to Linked devices on the WhatsApp main menu and add a new device.
11. Pin Chat (Pin Chat)
This feature allows you to pin up to three chats to the top of your conversation list for easy access.
How to Use It: Long press on the chat, then select the pin icon at the top.
12. Hide Specific Notifications
If you don’t want to be distracted by notifications from certain groups or contacts, you can turn off notifications just for them.
How to Use It: Open a conversation > Press the contact or group name > Select Mute notifications and set the duration.
13. Custom Notifications for Contacts or Groups
You can set special ringtones or vibrations for certain contacts or groups.
How to Use It: Open a conversation > Press the contact or group name > Custom notification.
14. Edit photos before sending
WhatsApp allows you to edit photos, such as adding text, stickers or doodling on images directly in the app before sending them.
How to Use It: When selecting photos to send, use the editing tools available at the top of the screen.
15. Look for specific messages in chat
You can search for specific keywords in long conversations to find messages quickly.
How to Use It: Open a conversation > Press the three-dot icon on the top right > Select Search. (Z-12)
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