WhatsApp new feature to level up its status updates

WhatsApp new feature is under trial to tag contacts in status updates 

WhatsApp has been part of Meta's suite of apps for a while now, and over the years, it's picked up a bunch of features which align it more closely with its siblings, Instagram and Facebook. Now, it looks like the messaging app is gearing up to roll out yet another feature previously exclusive to those social media platforms. WhatsApp status updates to become even more like Instagram stories. WhatsApp is levelling up its interface by introducing a brand-new feature to its status updates which it is currently testing with its beta testers in its new 2.24.20.3 update through the Google Play Beta Program.

According to the reports available, the new feature enables users of the Meta-owned instant messaging app to mention contacts in their status updates, with the help of a button located within the caption bar. Once a contact is mentioned, they receive a notification via a message in their chat with the user, informing them that they've been mentioned in a status update. It's important to note that these mentions are private which means that other viewers of the status update will not be able to see who has been mentioned in the status update. Only the mentioned contact will receive the notification and the message in their chat, as reported. Mentioned contacts will always receive the status update regardless of the sender's privacy settings.

Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta update for Android, version 2.24.20.3, now available on the Google Play Store, it's been revealed that WhatsApp is introducing a new feature that allows users to mention contacts in their status updates. Previously, there were reports about this feature being in development, but it looks like WhatsApp is now testing it with the public. Some beta testers can already try out the new ability to mention contacts in their status updates. Even if the mentioned contact is excluded from viewing other status updates due to specific privacy configurations, they will still be able to view the status update in which they were mentioned so that they never miss out on any important updates they are mentioned in. This feature lets users bring specific contacts into their status updates by tagging them, which sends a notification their way. When you mention someone, they'll get an alert, making engaging with the right people super easy.

To tag a contact, users will see a button in the caption bar while sharing photos and videos for status updates. This handy option is available right before you hit publish. It's worth mentioning that these tags are private. This means that other viewers of the status update won't see who's been mentioned. Only the tagged contact will get a notification and a message in their chat. Plus, you should know that the mentioned contacts can reshare the status update with their own audience using a new reshare button on the status screen. If they think the update is noteworthy or valuable, they can easily pass it along to their contacts, helping to spread the word. However, when they share the status, the original creator stays under wraps, so viewers of the reshared status won't be able to reach out to them directly.

WhatsApp's new feature is currently available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it will be rolled out to even more people in the near future. This feature would be a great addition to WhatsApp, as it adds a fun social interaction element to the app and will make users feel more connected. In other WhatsApp news, the app is testing a time-saving shortcut that lets users quickly add chats to lists, and it's also simplifying the process for community owners to transfer ownership.