Group visibility feature for Android beta

WhatsApp Beta Update: Group visibility feature for Android beta

WhatsApp is expanding its community management tools with a new feature which grants administrators greater control over group visibility. The latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android introduces an option for admins to hide specific group chats from the main community feed.  Latest beta for Android has introduced a powerful new feature that revolutionizes community management. The update, now available in beta version 2.24.17.5, allows administrators to hide specific group chats from the community feed. This enhancement not only improves privacy but also offers better control over sensitive discussions. The feature ensures that only invited members can view these chats, addressing key needs for confidentiality and organization.

This feature empowers community administrators to create a more structured and secure environment for their members. This enhancement is a significant step forward in managing large and complex communities on the platform. By allowing admins to designate certain groups as private, WhatsApp is addressing a key need for better organisation and privacy. This new visibility option provides community admins with the ability to create private spaces for exclusive conversations, strengthening security within groups. The update also foreshadows additional features, including voice communication with Meta AI and a new message reaction button, expanding WhatsApp’s toolkit for user interaction. Currently rolling out to beta testers, this feature highlights WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing user experience through greater administrative control.

This feature is expected to significantly impact how community managers handle large groups. Allowing the segregation of discussions and better privacy controls can help reduce clutter and improve the overall quality of interactions within WhatsApp groups. Once a group is hidden, only invited members can access it, ensuring that sensitive or exclusive discussions remain confidential. This feature empowers community administrators to create a more structured and secure environment for their members.

The new visibility feature is currently being rolled out gradually to beta testers. To access it, users need to be part of the WhatsApp Beta program, which is presently full. This update underscores WhatsApp’s dedication to enhancing its platform with tools which support better management and security for community interactions. While currently in beta testing, the new visibility option is expected to roll out to a wider audience in the near future. As WhatsApp continues to evolve, this update demonstrates the platform’s commitment to providing users with more tools to manage their online communities effectively. As this feature continues to roll out, WhatsApp will monitor user feedback to refine and improve it.

In addition, following updates are also in the process:-         

With the WhatsApp for iOS 24.15.79 update, WhatsApp was widely rolling out an events feature for regular group chats. This is now confirmed to be available to everyone.

A feature to replace the green verification badge with a blue checkmark is available to a limited number of users who install the WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.16.10.72 update. This change seeks to standardize the appearance of verification badges across Meta's platforms, aligning them with the blue checkmarks on Instagram and Facebook, while ensuring that users can confidently interact with verified channels and businesses.

In the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.3 update, WhatsApp is working on a new feature to easily manage the Meta AI voice. This feature is under development and it's scheduled for release soon.

In the WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.16.10.73 update, WhatsApp is currently rolling out a category feature compatible with the channels directory. This new feature enhances content discovery by automatically organizing channels into relevant categories, making the exploration process easier for users.

In the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.11 update, WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to manage event duration for community group chats.

A new feature to display avatars in the chat info screen is under development and planned for release soon, as discovered in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.10 update.

After installing the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.5 update, some beta testers can experiment with a feature to manage the visibility of community group chats.