In the last few months, we’ve seen several new feature updates for WhatsApp. The developers have worked hard to improve various features and add new functionality to the app. The most recent of these new features will enable users on the WhatsApp Desktop to mute group chats.
In October, WhatsApp received an update allowing users to add polls and surveys to group chats. While this update went somewhat unnoticed at first, since its release, it has grown in popularity, especially in larger group chats. More users are using the feature to add polls to their chats and get input from other group members quickly.
October also saw an update for WhatsApp that significantly increased the size of participants in group chats. This comes after the update that allowed up to 512 participants in a group. This was doubled yet again, meaning that groups can now consist of a maximum of 1’024 participants.
We also saw the introduction of a feature to increase user privacy. This latest feature allows users to set who can see their status. Previously, you could hide your ‘last seen’ notice, but not much else. This feature can be found in your privacy settings and allows users to set who can see their last seen and online statuses, about information, and your profile picture.
In November, WhatsApp finally released the Communities features, which combine the increased privacy features and larger group sizes. These types of groups will also allow admins to wield much more power. This feature allows certain communities to add related groups under a single community umbrella. For example, in your suburban community, you could have different groups related to security, lost pets, neighbors’ support, and more.
Another feature that’s been receiving consistent improvements is the reaction feature. This one enables users to react to a message with a simple emoji without having to type a new message. This one has become increasingly popular since its release, and the new improvements will make it much easier to use and look back on.
The Windows Desktop version is also receiving a complete overhaul and many exciting new features to make it even more useful. The latest feature being worked on for the desktop version is the ability to mute groups and communities. Although this might seem like a straightforward feature, it is a critical one. This will help users avoid distractions and temptations from group chats while at work, driving, or when they need a break.
The chat mute feature for WhatsApp desktop is still in development at the moment, and we should see it released for beta testing soon. However, at the moment, there’s no indication of when it will be released to the public.
