The foundation of privacy on WhatsApp is that your personal messages and calls are protected by end-to-end encryption so that only the sender and recipient can see, listen to or share them. From there, we’ve built multiple layers of privacy, like disappearing messages and chat lock, that take privacy one step further.

Today we’re introducing our latest layer for privacy called "Advanced Chat Privacy." This new setting available in both chats and groups helps prevent others from taking content outside of WhatsApp for when you may want extra privacy.

When the setting is on, you can block others from exporting chats, auto-downloading media to their phone, and using messages for AI features. That way everyone in the chat has greater confidence that no one can take what is being said outside the chat.

WhatsApp groups are increasingly an extension of our real world networks, some of which are far closer than others. We think this feature is best used when talking with groups where you may not know everyone closely but are nevertheless sensitive in nature, like talking about health challenges in a support group or organizing your community about something important to you.

You can turn this on by tapping the chat name, then tapping on Advanced Chat Privacy. This is the first version of this feature and we’re planning to add more to it so that it will eventually include even more protections.

This new setting is rolling out to everyone on the latest version of WhatsApp.

With new features and updates being added all the time, it can be easy to miss out on useful and exciting ways you can use WhatsApp. To keep you in the loop, we’ll be sharing regular roundups of the latest updates, tools, and settings. Today’s roundup includes features that have rolled out recently to make your conversations and calls more enjoyable, and improve your Channels experience.

Chats

Your place for private and encrypted chats with family and friends

‘Online’ indicator in group chats: To help you know if people are around to chat, you can now see how many people are ‘Online’ in real-time, right under the group name.

Highlight notifications in groups: Need an easy way to prioritize your group chat notifications? Use the new ‘Notify for’ setting and select ‘Highlights’ to limit notifications for @mentions, replies, and messages from saved contacts or ‘All’ to receive all notifications.

Events updates: In addition to creating events in groups, you can now create an event in a 1:1 conversation. We’ve also added the ability to RSVP as ‘maybe,’ invite a plus one, add end date and time for longer events, and pin the event in a chat.

Tappable reactions: Sometimes you just want to +1 to what someone else said. Now you can quickly view everyone else’s reactions and tap the one you want to send.

Document scanning on iPhone: Scan and send documents directly from WhatsApp on iPhone. Simply select ‘Scan document’ from the attachment tray and follow the steps to scan, crop, and save the document.

Default App for iPhone: With the latest iOS update, you can now also set WhatsApp as your default messaging and calling app on your iPhone. To make the switch, simply go to Settings > Default Apps and select WhatsApp.

Calls

A dedicated tab to make new calls, share call links, and manage your call history, all in one place

Pinch to zoom in video calls: iPhone users can now pinch to zoom in on a video while on a video call to get a closer look at your own or peer video.

Add to call from a chat: Add someone to an ongoing 1:1 call directly from a chat thread by tapping the call icon on the top and selecting ‘Add to call’.

Enjoy smoother video calls: We've upgraded our technology to make your video calls more reliable and higher quality. Our optimized routing system finds the best connection path, reducing dropped calls and video freezing. And our improved bandwidth detection quickly upgrades your video to HD quality for a more enjoyable experience.

Updates

This tab is home to Status and Channels, and is separate from your personal chats

Video notes for Channels: Similar to chats, Channel admins can now instantly record and share short videos (60 seconds or less) with followers.

Voice message transcripts on Channels: You can now get a written summary of voice message updates from channels when you’re on the go and can’t listen to them.

QR codes: As a channel admin, you can now share a unique QR code that links directly to your channel, making it easy to share with others and grow their audience.

Stay tuned for more new features and updates soon!

WhatsApp Status has always been a way to share life’s moments with friends and family—but what’s a moment without the perfect soundtrack? Now, you can do exactly that by adding music to your Status updates.

When creating a Status, you’ll now see a music note icon at the top of your screen. Tap it, and you’ll unlock a library of songs to pick from — whether it’s today’s top hits, something new, or the earworm that’s stuck in your head. Choose the exact part of the song that fits your moment – up to 15 seconds for a photo and up to 60 seconds for a video.

Our library has millions of songs to choose from. Your Status is end-to-end encrypted so WhatsApp can't see what you share, and we don’t know which songs you add to your Status.

We’re rolling this out globally and expanding over the next few weeks. Get ready to drop the beat, one update at a time.

You asked for it. Here it is! We’re introducing chat themes, so you can make your chats uniquely yours with colorful chat bubbles and new wallpapers.

Chat themes: Turn your chat bubbles and background your favorite colors, with plenty of options to choose from. Pick from one of our pre-set chat themes which change both your background and bubbles, or mix and match colors to best fit your style.

New wallpapers: Add some fun to your chats by choosing from 30 new wallpaper options, or you can still upload a background from your camera roll to make them completely unique to you.

You can apply the same theme to all your chats, or make each one extra special with different themes. Either way, your chat themes are only visible to you. You can also change the theme of your channels.

To change the theme of all your chats and channels, go to Settings > Chats > Default chat theme. To customize each chat individually, click the chat name at the top of the chat screen (on iOS), or click the 3-dot menu (on Android) > Chat theme.

These features are now starting to roll out, and will be available globally over the coming weeks.

We’re always working on making WhatsApp easier to use and more fun, so we’re excited to kick off the new year with a variety of new features and design improvements.

• Camera effects: You loved the effects we launched on video calls last year. Now, when you take and send a video or photo in your chats, you can choose from the same 30 backgrounds, filters and effects to transform your shots.
• Selfie stickers: For fans of custom stickers, now you can turn your selfie straight into a sticker. Just tap the sticker on create sticker and you’ll see the camera option to take a selfie and create your sticker. Available on Android and coming to iOS soon.
• Share a sticker pack: Spotted a sticker pack you know your friend will love? Now you can easily share them directly in your chats.
• Quicker reactions: Now you can double tap a message to react and quickly scroll through your most-used reactions.
  

We’re looking forward to introducing more exciting features this year, while offering private, secure messaging wherever you are in the world.

Calling on WhatsApp continues to grow in popularity around the world. Now, over 2 billion calls are made on WhatsApp every single day. Ahead of the holiday season, we’re introducing new calling features across desktop and mobile, so that connecting with your loved ones is easier than ever.

• Select call participants: Now when you start a call from a group chat, you can select specific participants, so you call exactly who you want without disrupting the rest. Ideal for planning surprise parties or presents.
• New effects for video calls: Choose between ten effects that transform your video calls into even more fun conversations, from adding puppy ears, to taking you underwater, or handing you a microphone for karaoke.
• Improved calling on desktop: Now when you click the calls tab on the WhatsApp desktop app, you’ll easily find everything you need to start a call, create a call link, or dial a number directly.
• Better quality video calls: Whether you’re calling from desktop or mobile, calls are now more reliable, and you can enjoy higher resolution video with a clearer picture on both 1:1 and group calls.

We’ll continue making improvements to calling on WhatsApp so you can make the best quality, private calls from all around the world. Happy holidays!

Sending a voice message makes connecting with friends and family even more personal. There’s something special about hearing your loved one’s voice even when you’re far away. Though sometimes, you’re on the move, in a loud place, or you receive a long voice message that you just can’t stop and listen.

For those moments we’re excited to introduce voice message transcripts. Voice messages can be transcribed into text to help you keep up with conversations no matter what you’re doing.

Transcripts are generated on your device so that no one else, not even WhatsApp, can hear or read your personal messages.

To get started, go to Settings > Chats > Voice message transcripts to easily turn transcriptions on or off and select your transcript language. You can transcribe a voice message by long pressing on the message and tapping on ‘transcribe’. We’re excited to build on this experience and make it even better and more seamless.

Transcripts are rolling out globally over the coming weeks with a few select languages to start though we plan to add more over the coming months. You can learn more about how they work and which languages are currently supported by clicking here.

Earlier this year we introduced chat filters as a way to find messages faster. We’ve had great feedback that they help you keep track of your chats, and we’re excited to have quickly evolved them into Lists.

With Lists, you can now filter your chats with custom categories of your choice. Whether that’s a list for family, work or your local neighborhood, Lists help you focus on the conversations that are most important, when you need them.

You can create and edit your lists easily by tapping the + in the filter bar at the top of your Chats tab, or edit by long-pressing a list.

Similar to your ‘favorites’, you can add both groups and one-on-one chats to a list, and any list you create will appear in the filter bar.

We’re rolling Lists out to users today, and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks. We look forward to expanding the functionality of Lists to help you focus on the people and conversations that matter most.

What’s more important than sending a message? It’s the person you’re sending it to, of course. Today we’re making it easier to privately add and manage your contacts on WhatsApp, from any device you may be using.

Until now, the only place you were able to add contacts was from your mobile device, by either typing in a phone number or scanning a QR code. Soon, you’ll be able to add and manage contacts from the comfort of your keyboard on WhatsApp Web and Windows – and eventually other linked devices.

We’re also introducing a new choice to save a contact exclusively to WhatsApp. These WhatsApp contacts are ideal for when you are sharing your phone with others or if you want to separate personal and business contacts when managing more than one WhatsApp account on your phone.

Contacts you save to WhatsApp will be restored in case you ever lose your phone or change devices.

These updates will also make it possible to eventually manage and save contacts by usernames. Usernames on WhatsApp will add an extra degree of privacy so that you don’t need to share your phone number when messaging someone. Today’s just one crucial step to making that reality possible and we’ll have more to share when it’s ready.

To go deeper in the tech on how we’ve built this with your security in mind, click here.

WhatsApp Status is the best way to stay connected with friends and family and now we’re making it even better. With status likes, private mentions and the ability to reshare a status you’re mentioned in, we’re making it easier to reach the people who matter most.

Status likes: Let someone know you’re thinking of them, or enjoying their status with a single tap of the button. Status likes are private and don’t have a counter, so only the person whose status you liked can see them as a in the list of viewers.

Private mentions: Make sure those closest to you see your status, and let them reshare it easily with their audience, by privately mentioning them. Those you mention will be notified privately, and the mention won’t be shown on your status.

These features are now starting to roll out, and will be available globally to users soon.

We’ll be bringing more features to Status and the Updates tab over the next few months to make it easier to stay closest to those who matter most. Let us know what you think!