- WhatsApp hides a multitude of advanced features for organizing chats, formatting messages, and better managing photos, videos, and voice notes.
- Privacy and security settings allow you to control who sees your information, lock the app with biometrics, and activate ephemeral messages and files.
- The ability to use multiple devices, Status updates, polls, and channels make WhatsApp a much more complete communication and content platform.
- By properly configuring storage, data consumption, and extra tools, the app can be adapted for safer, more efficient, and more productive use.
WhatsApp has become so ingrained in our daily lives that, for many, it's now their primary means of communication. However, most users only take advantage of a small fraction of what the app has to offer : hidden features, advanced settings, and clever tricks that can save time, improve privacy, or transform the application into a powerful productivity tool.
If you've been using the app for years and still limit yourself to sending messages, photos, and audio, you're missing out on a ton of possibilities. Throughout this guide, we'll review the best new features and tricks of WhatsApp that are still relevant today , explained step by step with practical examples, so you can get the most out of the app on both your phone and computer.
Tips for sending messages and organizing your chats
One of the keys to getting the most out of WhatsApp is learning how to manage conversations effectively, especially when you receive messages from dozens of groups and contacts. With the following tips, you can type faster, organize your chats, and always have what's important at hand.
The broadcast list feature lets you send the same message to multiple people at once without creating a group. On Android, you activate it from the three-dot menu with the "New broadcast" option, and on iPhone, from the "Broadcast Lists" icon. When you add contacts, a special conversation opens where any message is sent individually to all the selected numbers , without them knowing who else has received it. It only works with contacts who have you saved in their address book.
If you have certain chats that you check constantly, you can pin them so they don't get lost in the middle of your list. On Android, simply press and hold the chat and tap the pin icon ; on iPhone, swipe the conversation to the right and tap "Pin." This places them at the top and ensures they're always visible, even if new messages arrive from other contacts. You can pin a maximum of three conversations.
To leave a group chat without making a scene, you can "disappear" without officially leaving. The most practical thing to do is mute the group indefinitely and then archive it . Once archived, it won't reappear in the main chat list even if new messages arrive (if you have the option to keep chats archived enabled), so for you, it will practically cease to exist, but you'll still be able to access it if you ever want to return.
Another very useful option is to mark as unread a chat you've already opened but can't reply to yet. This trick creates a visual reminder, as the thread appears highlighted as if it had pending messages , but it doesn't change the sender's blue double check mark. On Android, you do this by pressing and holding the chat and selecting "Mark as unread"; on iPhone, by swiping from left to right and tapping the same option.
WhatsApp also lets you use the app as a kind of personal notebook. There are two easy ways: you can create a group with yourself by adding a temporary contact and removing them later, or, if your number is in your contacts, you can directly open a chat with yourself . There you can save notes, links, documents, lists, or anything else you want to keep handy and synced across devices.
Advanced writing, text formatting, and voice notes
WhatsApp messages don't have to be just a block of plain text. With a few shortcuts and hidden features, you can make your messages clearer, easier to read, and much more expressive , including both text and voice notes.
To format text, you have four main styles: bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace. These are applied by adding special symbols before and after the word or phrase: asterisks for bold, underscores for italic, tildes for strikethrough, and three backticks for monospace . If you don't remember the symbols, on many mobile devices you can select the text and choose the format from the context menu that appears above the keyboard.
This type of formatting is perfect for highlighting important ideas, providing clarifications, or differentiating code snippets or data. For example, you can highlight a key date in bold, add comments in italics, or strikethrough something that is no longer valid . Furthermore, combining these styles makes long messages much easier to follow, especially in very active groups.
Voice notes have also improved considerably. You can now lock the recording by sliding the microphone icon upwards, without having to hold it down. This allows you to record hands-free and pause the audio whenever you want . Before sending it, you'll see a play button that lets you listen to it and delete it if you're not happy with it, saving you from endless recordings full of silences or mistakes.
Another interesting audio-related feature is transcription. Depending on the version and system, you can enable the option in Settings to convert voice messages to text so you can read them when you can't listen to them , for example, at work or on public transport. After downloading the language pack, simply press and hold the audio and select the transcription option, if available.
If you're interested in making your messages stand out even more, WhatsApp has also been integrating extra features like creating polls directly in chats. With these, you can ask questions and offer several answers for other participants to vote on , whether it's to decide a date, a plan, or any other detail, without having to use another app.
File, photo, video and GIF management
One of the reasons WhatsApp eats up so much storage space on mobile phones is the constant sending of photos, videos, documents, and audio files. Luckily, the app includes several tools to control what is saved, in what quality, and how much space each conversation is taking up.
From Settings > “Storage and data” > “Manage storage,” you can see a very visual summary of the space the app's files are using. It shows the items that take up the most space (for example, videos larger than 5 MB) and a list of chats sorted by size. This way, you can go into each conversation, select photos, videos, or documents, and delete them without deleting the text messages , quickly freeing up hundreds of megabytes. If you need to free up space, learn how to clear the WhatsApp Web cache.
In that same section, you can adjust automatic file downloads. The smartest approach is to configure photos, videos, audio files, and documents to download only when connected to Wi-Fi , and disable downloads over mobile data. This prevents you from using up your data allowance without realizing it. If you disable automatic downloads, you can always download a specific file by tapping on it manually.
Another interesting new feature is the ability to choose the quality at which photos and videos are sent. In the storage settings, you can prioritize data saving or maximum quality, and when attaching an image file, a button to activate HD mode usually appears. Using it, the image or video is sent with less compression, preserving more detail —key when sharing important photos or documents.
If you enjoy communicating with animated GIFs, you don't need any additional apps. WhatsApp lets you create your own GIFs from a video in your gallery. Simply select the clip, trim it to a maximum of six seconds, and activate the GIF button at the top of the editor before sending it . If you then mark that GIF as a starred message, you'll instantly find it among your favorites.
In addition to classic photos and videos, the app includes an ephemeral sending mode for media files. With the "View Once" option enabled (a number 1 icon in the title field), photos and videos can only be opened once by the recipient and are not saved to the gallery . This is ideal for sensitive content or content that is only relevant for a few minutes, such as a temporary password, a code, or a photo of a brochure.
Privacy, security, and stealth mode
As you use WhatsApp more, it's normal to worry about who can see your information, your recent activity, or the content of your chats. The app includes a good number of options to protect your privacy and give you better control over what you show and what you hide.
One of the most well-known settings is disabling read receipts. In Settings > Privacy, you can turn off the "Read Receipts" option to remove the blue ticks from individual chats . Keep in mind that by doing this, you also won't see the blue double checkmarks from others. In group chats, read receipts will still appear even if you disable this option.
In that same menu, you can decide who sees your profile picture, information, status, and last seen time. You can choose between "Everyone," "My contacts," or further restrict it with specific lists. This way, you can show your image and information only to people you trust and hide it from strangers or those you don't want to reveal too much about . It's a simple way to keep your identity more secure.
If you want to take it a step further, WhatsApp lets you protect access to the app with biometric methods. On Android, you can use your fingerprint, and on iPhone, Face ID. From the privacy settings, under "App lock" or "Fingerprint lock," you can activate the system and choose when unlocking should be required: immediately, after one minute, after 15 minutes, or after one hour . The shorter the time, the greater the security.
Another important feature is end-to-end encryption. Each chat has its own security code that can change if you or your contact change phones or reinstall the app. In the Account menu > “Security notifications,” you can enable alerts so WhatsApp notifies you every time a chat's security code changes , adding an extra layer of protection against potential misuse.
Some people prefer to "snoop" on messages without appearing online or triggering the blue double check. A simple trick is to use mobile notifications to read part of the content without opening the app, expanding the alert to see more text. You can also activate airplane mode before opening WhatsApp, read the messages, close the app completely, and then deactivate airplane mode . However, as soon as you reconnect, the reading will be recorded, so it's not a perfect method to use all the time.
Finally, many users are unaware that they can lock specific chats with a password, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Some versions of WhatsApp already allow you to close certain threads so they are only accessible with a secret code or biometric authentication . This is useful when you share your phone or when you have particularly sensitive conversations that you don't want just anyone to see if they pick up your phone.
Using WhatsApp on a computer and multiple devices
WhatsApp is no longer just a mobile app. The ability to use it on computers, tablets, and even multiple phones simultaneously makes it much more convenient to reply while you work or when you're switching between different devices throughout the day.
To use WhatsApp on your computer, you have several options. The classic way is to use WhatsApp Web : go to web.whatsapp.com and scan the QR code with your phone in the "Linked Devices" section. There are also official apps for Windows and macOS that allow you to pin the app to your desktop with native notifications , which is very convenient if you spend a lot of time at your computer.
In recent years, Meta has expanded its linked devices feature, allowing you to connect your WhatsApp account on more than one device simultaneously, even another phone. After scanning the QR code from the new device, your account syncs without needing your primary phone to be constantly switched on or connected . This makes it much easier to separate your personal and professional life by using different phones, or to have the app on a tablet as well.
The app's ecosystem has also expanded to platforms like iPad and Apple Watch, with dedicated versions and support for receiving notifications, replying to quick messages, and checking chats without relying so heavily on your phone. It works similarly to the browser version, but offers greater convenience thanks to better integration with each operating system and its specific features.
If you regularly use the desktop version, it's a good idea to keep it updated because critical security vulnerabilities occasionally appear. When a vulnerability or a major patch is announced, it's best to update the application or log out of any linked devices you don't recognize to prevent unauthorized access to your conversations.
WhatsApp has evolved far beyond simple one-on-one chats. The Status tab, polls, channels, and other new features demonstrate that Meta wants to transform the app into a more comprehensive content and community platform , without abandoning the essence of messaging.
Status updates work similarly to Instagram Stories: they are photo, video, or text posts that disappear after 24 hours. From the corresponding tab, you can see your contacts' status updates and create your own. You have two main options: use the camera icon for a status update with an image or the pencil icon for a text-only status update , with colored backgrounds and different font styles.
Within the privacy settings, you can decide who sees your Status updates from the Settings > Privacy > Status menu. There, you can limit the audience to all contacts, a small group, or exclude specific people . This flexibility is great when you share something more personal that you don't want clients, bosses, or contacts you're not very close to to see.
Recent updates include quick reactions to Status updates, allowing users to respond with a simple icon instead of typing. WhatsApp is also introducing the option to choose "Close Friends" to share certain Status updates with only a very small group of people , similar to other social media platforms, and is working on features to add music to Status updates or share it more prominently.
Another important aspect of this more social side is channels, one-way spaces where a person, brand, or media outlet can send messages to many followers without them being able to reply in the same thread. WhatsApp is adding tools so that administrators can make their channels more dynamic and less monotonous , from polls to new content formats.
At the same time, the application is experimenting with features such as events within chats, which allow you to create reminders and appointments directly from a conversation , or tighter integrations with other Meta networks, so that you can link your Facebook and Instagram profiles to your WhatsApp user profile for your contacts to easily access.
Advanced settings, productivity, and interesting extras
Beyond the basics, WhatsApp includes several advanced options that few people use, but which can make a real difference in everyday life. From changing your number without losing anything to using the app as a kind of personal diary or even a calculator, there are many hidden features behind the settings menus.
If you ever change your phone number, you don't have to start from scratch. In your account settings, you can use the number change tool to migrate your chats and files to the new number while preserving your history . Then you just need to notify your contacts of the change, and you won't lose years of conversations in the process.
Another interesting feature is using WhatsApp as a private diary. By creating a group with yourself (adding another person initially and removing them later), you can have a completely personal chat where you can write your thoughts, attach photos, audio files, and documents, just like a digital notebook . The advantage is that you'll always have it with you, even when you're offline.
In the professional sphere, WhatsApp Business and its lists allow you to segment contacts and better manage communication with clients. Although it focuses on the business sector, many features eventually make their way to the regular app, such as the ability to create virtual business cards with your contact information or share direct links to your profiles on other social networks from your WhatsApp profile.
There are also some very practical little tricks, such as creating shortcuts to specific chats on your Android home screen. From the conversation list, if you press and hold a chat and use the three-dot menu, you can generate a separate icon that takes you directly to that conversation . This is perfect if you talk all day with the same two or three people or with a work group.
Among the more intriguing features is a built-in calculator mode: by leveraging certain integrations, you can perform simple calculations by typing numerical expressions in a specific chat , which some versions of the app or AI integrations then interpret and solve. It's not a substitute for a scientific calculator, but it can be a lifesaver when you need a quick calculation in the middle of a conversation.
Data usage, calls, location, and special features
Ultimately, WhatsApp isn't just for sending messages; it's also a powerful tool for making calls, sharing your location, and having more fleeting conversations. Knowing where those settings are will help you better manage your data usage and improve your overall user experience.
In "Storage and Data," you can see not only how much space the app is using, but also your mobile data usage. This section breaks down the data used for messages, calls, status updates, and backups. By enabling the option to use less data for voice and video calls and restricting backups to Wi-Fi, you'll significantly reduce the impact on your data plan.
WhatsApp calls and video calls use your internet connection, so on Wi-Fi networks, they don't incur extra costs like a traditional call . Abroad, if you connect using mobile data (see what data roaming is ), they will use up part of your data allowance, so it's usually best to always use free Wi-Fi or hotel networks to avoid surprises on your bill.
Sharing your real-time location is another underutilized trick. From the attachment icon in a chat, you can select "Location" and then "Live Location" to show your location on a map for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours . This is especially useful when you're on your way to a date, so the other person can track your progress without you having to send constant messages.
If you're concerned about the exposure of certain content, there are options to hide potentially sensitive images within conversations, preventing them from appearing as thumbnails or in your phone's main gallery. Combined with disappearing messages, which automatically delete chats after 24 hours, 7, or 90 days, you can keep your conversations much cleaner and leave less of a trace.
Finally, it's worth staying up-to-date with the new features WhatsApp adds, such as the gradual integration of Meta's AI to answer questions within the app, automatic message translations, and the constant changes in security and regulations in Europe. Keeping track of official updates and privacy options will help you take advantage of the features you're interested in and disable those that don't suit your usage . It will also allow you to experiment with tools like creating stickers with ChatGPT to personalize your messages.
As you can see, what started as a simple app for sending quick messages has become a very complete tool that combines messaging, calls, ephemeral content, social features, and even productivity options. By learning and putting these tricks into practice, it's much easier to adapt WhatsApp to your own lifestyle , maintaining control over your privacy, managing storage, and taking advantage of each of its features without getting lost in a sea of menus.
