WhatsApp introduces host of new features for chat and calls

WhatsApp has released a significant update, bringing a dozen new features across its chats, calls, and channels, designed to enhance group conversation management and overall user experience. A notable addition is a real-time “Online” indicator for groups, displaying the number of participants currently active within the app.

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This new “Online” indicator mirrors similar functionalities found on platforms like Discord, which shows the online status of server members. WhatsApp has not yet confirmed if users will have the option to manually adjust their online/offline status. However, this feature should provide greater visibility into group activity.

Managing group chat notifications is now more streamlined with the new “Notify for” setting. Users can select “Highlight” to customize notifications for replies, @mentions, and messages from saved contacts, or choose “All” to receive all notifications. Additionally, users can now easily add the same reaction to a message as another participant by tapping on existing reactions, a feature common in platforms like Discord and Slack.

The Events feature has been updated with expanded RSVP options, allowing users to indicate “maybe” and invite a plus one. Event creators can now also specify an end date and time. Furthermore, events can now be created within direct messages and pinned in group chats for easier access.

Exclusively for iPhone users, WhatsApp has introduced a built-in document reader, enabling users to scan, crop, and save document files directly within the app, eliminating the need for a separate application. iPhone users can also now set WhatsApp as their default app for calls and messages by navigating to their device settings, selecting “Default Apps,” and choosing WhatsApp.

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Within the WhatsApp Updates tab, users will now find transcriptions of received voice messages. Channel admins gain a new voice notes feature, allowing them to record and instantly share video updates of up to 60 seconds with their followers. Channel admins can also now share a direct link to their channel via a QR code.

Finally, WhatsApp has announced improvements to video calls, promising “more reliable and higher quality” connections. Users can now directly add participants to an ongoing call from within a chat thread by tapping the call icon, and call participants can utilize pinch-to-zoom for a closer view of the live video feed. These updates are rolling out to users starting today, Friday, April 11, 2025.