The year 2022 saw WhatsApp introducing features like self-chat, changes to view-once media, avatars and even communities. And now, in a bid to improve user interface and enhance privacy for users, WhatsApp is said to be developing a string of new features.
Here are listing a few of them, some of them have been already launched while some are expected to launched in the remaining months of the year 2023.
1. Searching messages by date
Already available for all iPhone users, this will help find a particular message in the long chat history by selecting a date.
2. Bookmark in disappearing chats
This feature is being developed for android and will help differentiate messages and regular disappearing messages within the chat.
3. Chat lock
This will allow users to add a fingerprint lock or face ID to private and group chats. All these locked chats will be available in a secure folder that can be accessed by swiping down the chat screen.
4. Editing features
In order to facilitate easy rectification and modification of a text message, WhatsApp will roll out a feature that within a message can be edited within the first 15 mins of sending it. However, that particular text will be mentioned to be an edited one.
5. Picture-in-Picture for video calls on iOS
Through this PIP mode, users will be able to browse other apps simultaneously while on a video call on WhatsApp.
6. Status profile rings
Indicated by a green ring on the profile picture, users will now be able to view statuses of their contacts from the chat screen itself.
7. Screen lock for WhatsApp desktop
Users can avail of a screen lock for their app’s desktop, with a pin or password. Even right now users can set a passcode to unlock their apps, and WhatsApp web users will also be able to avail the same.
8. Companion mode
Users will be able to link and sync data on WhatsApp and use the app with the same profile on multiple phones with the companion mode. It will also facilitate users to use to same WhatsApp profile on iPhone and Android phones.
9. Private audience selector
In order to enhance quality of sharing status updates, WhatsApp will allow sharing status updates only with whom users would want to share each and every update with.
10. Android transfer
This will facilitate Android to Android transfer of WhatsApp data including chat history. This will reduce dependency on Google Drive for backup and also eliminate the use of third-party apps.
11. Voice Statuses
Apart from uploading visual or textual content, WhatsApp will also allow uploading audio remarks and voice notes as statuses.
A QR code scan will seamlessly help users switch to another Android device.
Along with the above features, many other features are expected to be released in 2023. Some of them include – WhatsApp business directory, create WhatsApp statuses, sending compression-free images etc.