WhatsApp is expanding its group-chat tools with permanent pinned messages, a way to share chat history with new members after they have joined, group-only status updates and a more targeted unread-chat filter. The changes are designed to make important conversations and group information easier to find.
- Pinned messages will no longer require a preset expiration period, allowing announcements, rules and other recurring information to remain pinned indefinitely.
- Group admins or members adding people can choose whether to share recent chat history. The history can also be shared later by selecting the new member’s name, and shared messages remain protected by end-to-end encryption.
- Group statuses will let members post updates visible only within a particular group. Other members can react or add their own updates, while posts disappear after 24 hours.
- A new unread filter will surface group chats where the user has been mentioned or received a direct reply, including messages that use the @all mention.
WhatsApp also highlighted existing group tools such as private replies, single-answer polls and member labels. The new features are expected to arrive through an app update, but WhatsApp has not provided a rollout timetable.
