WhatsApp group chats get 4 new features: Group Status, permanent pins, history sharing and a Mentions filter

WhatsApp has added four new features to group chats: Group Status, pins with no time limit, sharing older messages with new members, and a "Mentions and replies" filter. WhatsApp announced them on 29 October and they are rolling out gradually on Android and iPhone, ProPakistani reported, so some people in Pakistan will see them before others.

1. Group Status

A status update you post only to one group. Unlike your normal status, which goes to your chosen contacts, a Group Status is visible only to members of that group. They can view it, react and post their own, and it disappears after 24 hours.

Use it for: wedding photos for the family group, a notice for the mohalla committee, match pictures for the cricket team, without your other contacts seeing them.

2. Pins that never expire

Until now a pinned message lasted 24 hours, seven days or 30 days. You can now keep a message pinned permanently.

Use it for: the school group's timetable and fee dates, a building's maintenance account details, an office group's leave policy. Nobody has to re-pin it every month.

3. Share old messages with someone who has already joined

Group Message History already let you share recent chat when adding someone. Now you can share earlier messages after they have joined: tap the new member's name in the group and choose to share recent messages. WhatsApp says the shared messages stay end-to-end encrypted.

4. "Mentions and replies" filter

A new chat filter shows only unread group conversations where someone @mentioned you, used @all, or replied directly to one of your messages. If you are in 20 busy groups, this is the one that saves the most time.

How to get them

1. Update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
2. If the features do not appear, wait: WhatsApp releases in stages over several weeks.
3. In a group you admin, check Group settings for who can pin messages and post Group Status.

A Pakistan note

PTA is blocking WhatsApp accounts linked to SIMs that have been inactive for a long time. If you changed your number, read how to keep your WhatsApp account before you update. For a new phone, check the import duty with our PTA mobile tax calculator.