WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps globally, with over 2 billion users relying on it for seamless communication. While most of us use it for texting, voice messages, and video calls, WhatsApp is packed with lesser-known features that can elevate your experience. In this blog post, we uncover 5 hidden WhatsApp features that are easy to use and can make your chats more efficient, private, and fun. Let’s dive in!
1. Pin Important Chats for Quick Access
Struggling to find your most important conversations in a sea of chats? WhatsApp’s pin chat feature lets you keep your favorite contacts or groups at the top of your chat list.
How to Pin a Chat
- Android: Long-press the chat, then tap the pin icon at the top.
- iPhone: Swipe right on the chat and select “Pin.”
- Limit: You can pin up to three chats.
This feature ensures you never miss messages from your closest contacts or critical group chats, saving you time and keeping your conversations organized.
2. Format Text for Emphasis
Want to make your messages stand out? WhatsApp allows you to bold, italicize, strikethrough, or monospace text with simple formatting tricks.
How to Format Text
- Bold: Add asterisks, e.g.,
*text*becomes text. - Italics: Use underscores, e.g.,
_text_becomes text. - Strikethrough: Use tildes, e.g.,
~text~becomestext. - Monospace: Use triple backticks, e.g.,
textbecomestext.
These formatting options add flair to your messages, making them more engaging for personal or professional chats.
3. Read Messages Without Sending Read Receipts
Ever wanted to read a message without the sender knowing? By disabling read receipts, you can view messages without triggering the blue checkmarks.
How to Disable Read Receipts
- Go to Settings > Privacy.
- Toggle off Read Receipts.
Note: This also prevents you from seeing when others read your messages, and it doesn’t apply to group chats. For a one-off solution, enable Airplane mode, read the message, and close WhatsApp before turning off Airplane mode. This trick keeps your privacy intact when you’re not ready to reply.
4. Star Messages for Easy Reference
Never lose track of important messages again with WhatsApp’s Starred Messages feature. You can bookmark messages, like addresses or key details, for quick access later.
How to Star a Message
- Long-press the message.
- Tap the Star icon.
- Access starred messages via Settings > Starred Messages (iPhone) or the three-dot menu (Android).
This feature is perfect for saving critical information without scrolling through long chats.
5. Use Broadcast Lists for Mass Messaging
Need to send a message to multiple contacts without creating a group? The Broadcast Lists feature lets you send a single message to multiple recipients, and each receives it as an individual chat.
How to Create a Broadcast List
- Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu (Android) or Chats > New Broadcast (iPhone).
- Select up to 256 contacts.
- Send your message—it appears as a personal message to each recipient.
Tip: Recipients must have your number saved to receive the broadcast. This is ideal for announcements or event invites without the chaos of a group chat.
Why These Features Matter
These hidden WhatsApp features enhance your messaging experience by offering better organization, privacy, and efficiency. Whether you’re managing work chats, keeping up with friends, or sharing updates with a large group, these tools help you use WhatsApp like a pro. Plus, they’re easy to implement and work across Android and iOS devices.
WhatsApp is more than just a messaging app—it’s a powerful tool with features that can simplify your communication. Try these 5 hidden features to streamline your chats, protect your privacy, and add some fun to your messages. Have you discovered other WhatsApp tricks? Share them in the comments below!
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