WhatsApp is one of the most popular messengers in the world and is used by millions of people every day to exchange messages, photos, videos, and files. However, many users don’t even realize that there are some useful features that can make using the app much easier. All of them are hidden or not very obvious, but using them can make communication even more convenient. In this article, we’re going to look at 10 hidden WhatsApp features that everyone should know.
- Delete messages after they’ve been sent
Most of us have sent a message to the wrong person or with a mistake at least once. Luckily, WhatsApp has an option to delete a message not only for yourself, but also for all participants in the chat. To do this, press and hold the message, and then select “Delete for all”. It’s important to remember that you can only delete a specific message within 1 hour of sending it. When this time expires, this option will disappear.
- Hiding the status of “Online”
If you don’t want other users to see when you were last online, the app allows you to hide this information. To do this, go to Settings, go to the Privacy section and select who can see your status. There you can choose whether everyone sees this information, only your contacts, or no one.
- Using WhatsApp on your computer
It can be awkward to type messages on a small smartphone screen. As you may have already realized, WhatsApp supports the WhatsApp Web feature, which allows you to use the application on your computer. All you need to do is go to web.whatsapp.com, open the app on your smartphone, go to settings, and select “WhatsApp Web”. Then just scan the QR code on your computer screen and you’ll be able to use WhatsApp on the big screen.
- Read messages in a hidden way
Not all users want others to see that they have read a message. WhatsApp gives you the option to turn off the “blue check marks” that indicate that a message has been read. To do this, go to the privacy settings and turn off the “Read Reports” option. However, keep in mind that you will also not be able to see if other people have read your messages.
- Pinning important chats
If you have a lot of chats, important conversations can easily get lost among others. For convenience, you can pin the most important chats to the top of the list. This is especially useful if you need to keep in touch with certain people or groups at all times. To do this, simply press and hold the desired chat, and then select the pin icon to pin it.
- Sending messages without the Internet
What if I don’t have an internet connection and I need to send a message? WhatsApp allows you to send messages even when you’re not connected to the network. Yes, it’s not quite the full-fledged sending you might think, but still, as soon as your device reconnects to the internet, all messages you write will be automatically sent. For example, this is very useful when you are in a place with an unstable signal or temporarily without access to Wi-Fi.
- Formatting the text
Sometimes you want to emphasize certain words or phrases in a message. WhatsApp supports several text formatting options to make your message more expressive. For example, to make text bold, use asterisks on both sides of the text: *text*, for italics, use underline, and for strikethrough text, use ~text~. This is a fairly simple but effective way to draw attention to a particular part of the message.
- Customized notifications for contacts
If you want to know who’s writing to you without looking at your phone, you can set up customized notifications for specific contacts. To do this, open the desired chat, click on the contact’s name, and select Custom Notifications. Here you can choose a unique signal for messages from this person or group.
- Archiving of chats
Some chats may become irrelevant, but you don’t always want to delete them. WhatsApp has an option to archive chats so that they don’t get in the way of your list, but are still available for viewing when needed. To do this, press and hold the desired chat, and then select “Archive”. You can find it in the archive at any time.
- Create your own stickers
Nowadays, stickers have become a popular way to express emotions or emphasize a certain point in a conversation. The application allows you to create your own stickers using special applications, such as Sticker Maker. So you can use your photos or drawings to make unique stickers that you can send to your friends. It’s a great way to personalize your messages and make them even more interesting. All these features will definitely make your use of the messenger even more comfortable. Not only do they save time, but they also allow you to customize the app to suit your needs, improving the quality of communication in chats. It doesn’t matter if you use WhatsApp for work or for personal conversations.