WhatsApp group chats are getting 4 new features, including permanent pinned messages

WhatsApp has announced four features for managing busy group conversations. The update aims to help users catch up and prioritise relevant messages.

In Short

• Recent messages can be shared with members even after they join
• Shared message history remains protected through end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp
• Group Status updates disappear automatically after 24 hours for members

Meta-owned WhatsApp is introducing four new features for group chats, including the ability to pin messages indefinitely, share recent chat history with people who have already joined a group, post group-specific status updates and filter unread conversations by mentions and replies.

WhatsApp says group chats are often where people make plans, share news and exchange jokes. However, keeping up with hundreds of messages can sometimes become difficult, particularly when users have been away from a conversation for a while. The new updates are aimed at making busy group chats easier to manage and helping users catch up on conversations they may have missed.

What are the new WhatsApp group chat features?

1. Pin messages indefinitely: The first update is the option to pin messages indefinitely. Until now, WhatsApp users had to choose a time limit when pinning a message in a group. With the new option, they can keep important messages pinned without setting an expiry date. This could be useful for keeping group rules, event details or other important information accessible to everyone.

2. Share chat history after someone joins a group: WhatsApp is also making it easier to share chat history with people who have already joined a group. Earlier this year, the platform introduced an option to share recent messages with new members when they were added to a group. Users could enable or disable this through a toggle. Now, they can also share recent messages retroactively after someone has joined.

To do this, they simply need to tap the person's name in the group chat. WhatsApp says these shared messages will remain end-to-end encrypted, just like personal chats on the platform.

3. Share status updates with specific groups: The third feature, called Group Status, lets users share status updates with members of a specific group rather than their wider contact list. For instance, someone can share an update with their running club without having to share it with their family group. Everyone in the group can view and react to these updates, as well as post their own. Like regular WhatsApp Status updates, group statuses disappear after 24 hours.

4. Filter unread chats by mentions and replies: The fourth addition is a new filter for mentions and replies. It will show unread group conversations where users have been directly mentioned or received a reply, including messages using the @all tag. This should make it easier to spot conversations that need their attention instead of going through every unread group chat.

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