To maintain its edge over competitors like Telegram and Signal, WhatsApp is rolling out a series of new features. While WhatsApp continues to lead in user numbers, recent developments from Telegram, which announced a partnership with Grok, and Signal’s introduction of a new private chat mode, could pose a challenge.
According to a post on Mark Zuckerberg’s messaging platform’s blog, WhatsApp is set to introduce no fewer than 12 new features.
Online Status Visibility
A new feature allows you to see who is currently online in a group chat, indicated simply by an **”Online”** status marker.
Group Notifications
Group notifications now offer the ability to select whom to alert when sending a new message. This enhancement helps to **prioritize notifications** more effectively, highlighting the most critical ones.
Personal Events
Events can now be organized not only within group chats but also in individual conversations. This feature should enable attendees to **confirm their attendance**, add another guest, or even set an end date for the event.
Tactile Reactions
Drawing inspiration from other messaging services like Slack, WhatsApp will now allow the use of the same reactions as other group members by **clicking on an emoji**.
Document Scanning
The iOS app now supports scanning and sending documents directly, bypassing the need to use Apple’s Notes app’s scanning feature.
Default Messaging App
iOS users can now set WhatsApp as their default messaging app, replacing Apple’s built-in Messages app.
Video Call Zoom
Video calls have been enhanced with a new zoom feature. On an iPhone, users can **pinch** the screen to zoom in or out during a video call.
Adding Guests to Calls via Chat
While it was previously not possible to add new people to individual video calls, it can now be done using the new **”Add to Call”** button.
Enhanced Video Quality
WhatsApp now automatically manages video stream quality to improve connections during calls. When possible, WhatsApp will enhance the stream to **HD video quality**.
Video Updates
Updates are no longer confined to chats alone; they can now also be applied to videos, with updates lasting up to **60 seconds**.
Voice Message Transcription
To help users access audio messages without having to listen to them, WhatsApp now offers a written transcription of voice messages.
QR Code Generation
Group administrators can now generate unique QR codes to share across online platforms.
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Samantha Klein is a seasoned tech journalist with a sharp focus on Apple and mobile ecosystems. With over a decade of experience, she brings insightful commentary and deep technical understanding to the fast-evolving world of consumer technology.