Are you using WhatsApp only to send messages and make calls? Did you know that this popular app has many hidden features that can make your experience even better? From formatting text to automatically disappearing messages, WhatsApp is packed with exciting features that you might not know about. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best hidden WhatsApp features that can save you time, add some fun to your conversations, and make your messaging experience more efficient. Keep reading to discover how to unleash the full potential of WhatsApp!
Format Text for Some Flair
One of the many hidden features of WhatsApp that you may not be aware of is the ability to format text for some flair. With this feature, you can add emphasis and make your messages stand out in a sea of plain text. According to CNET, WhatsApp lets you bold, italicize or add strikethrough to text on the fly. To do so, you’ll need to add special characters before and after the text you want to format. For example, use an asterisk (*bold*); text with an underscore (_italics_); create strikethrough text with tildes (~strikethrough~). It’s a simple but effective way to add some personality and expression to your messages. You can use it to create a witty one-liner, emphasize a point, or just make your text more readable.
Adding formatting can also help you convey your tone and mood to the recipient. If you’re excited, you can use bold and exclamation marks to show it. If you’re joking, you can use strikethrough to add a sense of irony. It’s a fun and creative way to enhance your digital communication. As Jagran English states, “To add some verve to your texts, you can strikethrough, bold or italicize your text. WhatsApp has introduced a new feature recently of disappearing texts, here’s how you can use this feature.” So next time you’re using WhatsApp, try experimenting with text formatting to add some flair and express yourself more fully.
Disappearing Messages Feature
One of the latest features of WhatsApp that is making headlines is the Disappearing Messages feature. This feature allows users to set a timer for their messages to self-destruct after a specified duration, which can be 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. This is a great way to ensure that your private chats stay private and don’t become a liability in the long run.
To enable this feature, you can go to the WhatsApp Settings > tap Account > Privacy > Default message timer and select a duration. You can also turn the feature on by default here for all chats. Once the duration is set, users can tap on the contact name of any chat, personal or group, and set disappearing messages ‘on’ or ‘off’ there manually if you only want to use the feature for some chats and not all of them. What’s more, this feature is available for both Android and iOS users.
Although this feature seems quite promising, there are a few things to note. For example, people can still bypass the new feature by taking screenshots or pictures of the chat from another device. Additionally, even after you have turned the feature on, messages that have been auto-deleted may still be visible in the notification panel if they still haven’t been opened yet.
It’s worth noting that the Disappearing Messages feature will not affect messages that have been sent before the setting has been turned on or after it has been turned off. So, any messages that have been sent before the feature was turned on or after it has been turned off will not automatically get deleted. As WhatsApp Help Center puts it, “You can choose to keep specific messages to prevent them from disappearing as long as the duration time has not passed. If you decide to disable disappearing messages, you won’t have the option to keep them.”
Star Messages for Easy Access
One the useful WhatsApp hidden features is the ability to star messages for easy access. In a long chat, finding a specific message can be time-consuming. By starring a message, it’s easy to find it quickly without having to scroll through the whole chat. To star a message, press and hold it, and then tap the star icon. Alternatively, you can tap and hold a chat to access the star option. You can view all your starred messages in Settings > Starred Messages.
As Pocket-lint notes, “If there are any messages that you want to prioritise or save for later in the chat history like a grocery list, a work schedule, or show timings, you can conveniently mark them with a star.” It’s a feature that makes it easy to find important messages later on.
Additionally, you can unstar a message by tapping and holding the starred message and selecting the star icon again or going to the chat settings and removing the star.
Making use of the star feature is just one of the many ways to make the most out of WhatsApp. With over two billion users worldwide, it’s important to understand all the features available to you, including the hidden ones. By taking advantage of these secret WhatsApp tips and tricks, you can simplify your communication experience and enhance your productivity.
Clear Storage & Chat Stats
Clear Storage & Chat Stats is an essential feature that lets you free up some space on your phone and offers insights into your chatting habits. With WhatsApp, it’s effortless to see who you chat with the most and how much storage they are using up on your phone. This feature also offers you a way to declutter your conversations by clearing out large files.
By going to the Storage Usage section in WhatsApp, you can see all your chats ranked in order of who uses up the most space. You can tap on each contact to view more detailed stats, such as the number of messages exchanged, images, and GIFs. This offers you a great way to declutter your conversations and get rid of large files taking up space on your phone.
Additionally, WhatsApp has made it easier to manage your storage by providing a way to clear out large files in one go. Tapping on the Manage Messages button in the Storage Usage section will reveal a list of chats with the most significant files. You can select multiple chats and delete those large files in one go.
Clear Storage & Chat Stats gives you a better understanding of your chatting habits and helps you manage your storage better. It’s an excellent way to declutter your conversations and free up space on your phone. As WhatsApp continues to add new features, Clear Storage & Chat Stats is one to continue to watch for more updates.
Message Delivery & Read Stats
One of the most useful features in WhatsApp is the ability to see message delivery and read stats. This feature lets you know when messages are delivered, seen, and read by the recipient. It’s a great way to confirm that your message has been received and read. According to CNET, “Ever wonder what time a message was delivered or read? Swipe to the left on a message you sent to view those stats on your iPhone. Android users can long-press on a message then tap on the menu button followed by ‘Info’.”
In addition to the read and delivery stats, WhatsApp also allows you to know when a message has been forwarded and how many times it has been forwarded. This is important because it helps you track how your messages are spreading and if they are going viral.
Moreover, users can also turn off the read receipts feature if they do not want others to know whether they have read the message. Quote, “We know how it is. You’re at figure skating practice, your phone buzzes and you glance down briefly before nailing a spectacular triple axel. Clearly you’ve not got time to respond immediately. But at the same time, you don’t want the sender to realise that you’ve already looked at the message lest they think you’re ignoring them when you fail to reply for two more hours. That’s the privilege the blue ticks take away.” It is important to note that if you turn off the read receipts, you will also not be able to see when others have read your messages.
In conclusion, the message delivery and read stats feature in WhatsApp is one of the most useful features that helps users track their messages and ensure they have been delivered and read successfully. However, for users who prefer privacy, the read receipts feature can be turned off.
Use Mute Feature for Busy Times
One the most useful features on WhatsApp is the mute feature. With the constant stream of notifications on our phones, it can be a real distraction. But with this feature, you can silence group conversations or specific chats for up to 8 hours, a week, or even a year. This can be incredibly helpful during busy times, like when you’re in a meeting or trying to focus on work. “The mute feature is particularly useful for group chats that are constantly buzzing with activity,” says messaging app expert Jonathan Fisher.
The mute feature on WhatsApp can be accessed on both Android and iOS devices by tapping and holding on the chat you want to mute and then selecting the “mute notifications” option. If you want to mute a group conversation, simply swipe left on the chat and choose the “mute” option. You can also customize the mute settings within the chat to select how long you want the chat to stay muted.
Another useful aspect of the mute feature is that it’s a silent way to communicate that you’re not available. You don’t have to worry about ignoring someone’s message or coming across as rude. “It’s a subtle way of saying ‘I’m busy’ without actually having to say it,” says Fisher.
In summary, the mute feature on WhatsApp can be really helpful during busy times, allowing you to silence notifications and focus on what’s important. As Fisher suggests, “If you’re someone who gets easily distracted by notifications, I highly recommend using this feature.”
Edit Sent Messages
WhatsApp has finally answered the prayers of its users by rolling out the feature to edit sent messages. This update has been requested by millions of users, and the app has listened. Now, if you spot a typo in your message or have second thoughts on what you have written, you have 15 minutes to make changes to your sent message. This feature can be accessed on both Android and iOS devices as long as they are updated to the latest version of WhatsApp. Simply type your message, send it, and then hold down on the message for the “Edit” option to appear. This is a great way to avoid the embarrassment that comes with sending incorrect or regrettable messages. However, it’s essential to note that any edited messages will be labeled as such, so recipients will know if changes have been made. This new feature is still in development, so there may be changes made to it. It’s also worth noting that this feature is not available for group messages. Overall, this is a welcomed feature that has been long-overdue and will be appreciated by many users. As Pocket-lint.com says, “it’s about time!”
Run WhatsApp on Two Phones
Do you have two phones but struggle to manage your WhatsApp messages on both devices? Look no further than the hidden feature of running WhatsApp on two phones with the same number. This feature is available on Android and iOS devices and requires a simple setup process.
First, make sure that WhatsApp is working on your primary device. Then, download the app on your second phone and start the setup process. On the screen where the app asks for your phone number, tap on the three dots on the top right corner and open the Linked Devices option on your primary device. Then, scan the QR code shown on the second phone and voila! You can now use WhatsApp on both devices without logging out from the primary device.
This feature is a part of WhatsApp Linked devices that allow users to connect up to four other devices with the same WhatsApp account or phone number. Not only can you use WhatsApp on two different smartphones at the same time, but every WhatsApp feature works including file sharing, photos, videos, voice and video calls. The good news is that this feature is hidden within the mobile version of the WhatsApp app itself.
As technology evolves, running WhatsApp on two phones simultaneously can make your life more efficient and free from the hassle of logging in and out. So, why not give it a try? As the Times of India puts it, “with this trick you can use WhatsApp with the same number on two different smartphones without logging out from the primary device.”
