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7 new WhatsApp features you need to know

Meta continues to add new features, making WhatsApp more versatile and feature-rich.

Here are seven new features of WhatsApp. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Meta’s WhatsApp recently won Google’s Best Multi-Device App Award for 2024, reaffirming its standing as an essential app, which has been around for over a decade now, on smartphones worldwide. Despite being free-to-use and ad-free, WhatsApp continues to innovate, adding new features that enhance communication and usability.

Whether you’re a new user or someone who hasn’t explored all that WhatsApp has to offer, here are seven exciting features designed to improve how you connect with friends, family, and colleagues.

Access cutting-edge Meta AI models directly on WhatsApp

This week, Washington said it was finalising rules to curb U.S. investment in artificial intelligence and other technology sectors in China that could threaten national security. (Image Source: Meta)

WhatsApp now integrates advanced AI capabilities directly into the app. This means you don’t have to download apps or pay for subscriptions. AI on WhatsApp doesn’t even require any additional sign-up process, and it is completely free to use. With Meta AI, you can understand complex topics, generate images, ask questions or even hear jokes.

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In select countries, WhatsApp also offers a voice model for Meta AI. This feature is expected to launch in India soon. Meta AI works on every smartphone, including entry-level devices that are compatible with the latest version of WhatsApp.

Turn boring video calls into fun sessions with filters

The new background effects and filters are just one tap away. (Express Photo)

WhatsApp video calls just got a major upgrade. You can now use filters and custom backgrounds to personalise your calls. Perfect for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, these features make video calling a fun and engaging experience.

Disappearing voice messages

These are like letters Potter received from Hogwarts––these self-erasing audio notes allow you to send quick, private messages that vanish after a single listen. WhatsApp also supports disappearing photos, perfect for sharing one-time moments.

“Draft” unfinished messages automatically

WhatsApp has introduced Message Drafts. (Image source: WhatsApp)

Ever get interrupted while typing a message? WhatsApp now automatically saves unfinished messages as drafts, so you can pick up right where you left off. A draft indicator will remind you of incomplete messages the next time you open the app. Just ensure you’re using the latest version of WhatsApp to access this feature.

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Create new chat lists, one for work, one for friends, one for family, and more

When you receive a message from your boss, friend, and mom, attending to all of these at once can be quite a task, and if not done properly, you could miss one of these texts, and it could put you in trouble. Create separate chat lists for work, friends, family, or any other category. This feature helps you prioritise messages, ensuring you never miss an urgent text from your boss while catching up with friends.

WhatsApp-only phone number

You can now save contacts directly on WhatsApp without adding them to your phone’s general contact list. This feature is ideal for temporary or WhatsApp-only connections. This also makes sharing a WhatsApp number with a fellow WhatsApp user a lot easier. If you ever lose your phone, these numbers will still be accessible when you restore WhatsApp on a new device.

Like and reshare WhatsApp status

Borrowing a popular feature from Instagram, WhatsApp now lets you like and reshare status updates. If someone tags or mentions you in their status, you’ll receive a notification and have the option to reshare it on your own status. This feature is perfect for engaging with friends and expressing yourself.

We hope these seven features of WhatsApp will help you to connect better with fellow WhatsApp users.