WhatsApp Rolls Out New Updates

 Introduction of new features by WhatsApp including online indicator in Groups, Tappable reactions and More

WhatsApp has rolled out new features for its app on Android and iOS including features like tappable reactions, online indicator in the groups and others. A series of new features were announced to enhance group chats, calls and community engagement, including a real-time online activity indicator, improved notification management and expanded event functionality. The update also improves call quality and adds zoom for video calls, while channel admins can share video updates and use QR codes for promotion. This will make your conversations and calls more seamless, and improve your Channels experience. The new update includes an online indicator in groups, tappable reactions, a default iOS app and much more.   

In WhatsApp for iOS 25.8.74 update, a real-time online activity feature for group chats was available. This feature is designed to provide users with a quick overview of how many group members are currently online, helping them better understand group activity levels at any given moment. While it does not reveal the identities of the online users, it offers a valuable indicator of potential responsiveness within the group. It's important to note that WhatsApp maintains its strong privacy standards, as users who have chosen to hide their online status will not be included in the count, nor will they see the online count themselves. This ensures that personal privacy preferences are respected at all times since WhatsApp continues to prioritize user control over their visibility, ensuring a balance between convenience and confidentiality. It appears that WhatsApp is now widely testing this feature with the public, following its official announcement alongside several new tools aimed at enhancing the messaging and calling experience. Following is list of  features introduced:-

Now you can quickly view everyone else’s reactions and tap the one you want to send.

To help you know if people are around to chat, you can now see how many people are ‘Online’ in real-time, right under the group name.

With the latest iOS update, you can now also set WhatsApp as your default Messaging and calling app on your iPhone. To make the switch, simply go to Settings > Default Apps and select WhatsApp.

In addition to creating events in groups, you can now create an event in a 1:1 conversation. WhatsApp also added the ability to RSVP as ‘maybe,’ invite a plus one, add end date and time for longer events, and PIN the event in a chat.

Scan and send documents directly from WhatsApp on iPhone. Simply select ‘Scan document’ from the attachment tray and follow the steps to scan, crop and save the document.

WhatsApp Tests Mute and Camera Off Buttons for WhatsApp Audio and Video Calls.

One can now use the new ‘Notify for’ setting and select ‘Highlights’ to limit notifications for @mentions, replies and messages from saved contacts or ‘All’ to receive all notifications. This can be done to highlight certain group notifications.

For calling, the following features have been introduced:-

Similar to chats, Channel admins can now instantly record and share short videos (60 seconds or less) with followers.

Add someone to an on-going 1:1 call directly from a chat thread by tapping the call icon on the top and selecting ‘Add to call’.

As a channel admin, you can now share a unique QR code that links directly to your channel, making it easy to share with others and grow their audience.

WhatsApp says it has upgraded its technology to make your video calls more reliable and higher quality. The platform’s optimised routing system finds the best connection path, reducing dropped calls and video freezing. And its improved Bandwidth detection quickly upgrades your video to HD quality as well. 

iPhone users can now pinch to zoom in on a video while on a video call to get a closer look at your own or peer video.

You can now get a written summary of voice message updates from channels when you’re on the go and can’t listen to them.

WhatsApp announced a series of new enhancements designed to streamline both messaging and calling on iOS and Android. One of the important features is the visible real-time online activity indicator in group chats, which now appears just below the group name. This detail helps users instantly gauge whether other members are currently active on WhatsApp, making it easier to decide when to initiate conversations or expect quicker replies. It's particularly helpful in group dynamics where timing can influence the flow of discussion, as a higher number of active members often means greater chances of immediate engagement and faster responses. WhatsApp has also expanded event functionality, making it possible to create events not just in groups but in one-on-one chats as well. Users can now indicate tentative attendance, bring a guest, set an end time for extended events, and keep key event details visible by pinning them in the chat. These improvements make WhatsApp a more practical tool for planning and coordination, both socially and professionally.

Another notable addition is the ability to manage group notifications more efficiently through a new setting which allows users to receive alerts only for specific interactions, such as mentions, replies or messages from selected contacts. This helps reduce notification overload while ensuring that important messages still come through. It's worth noting that this was already the default behaviour in the previous versions, but WhatsApp is now making it more explicit to help users better understand the implications of muting a group. The calling experience itself has been upgraded as well, with improved connection quality and the ability to zoom in during video calls for better detail. There's also more flexibility when adding participants to on-going calls, allowing users to bring others in straight from a chat. WhatsApp has also improved community engagement by letting Channel admins share video updates and use QR codes to let other users quickly follow the channel, while followers can now view transcripts of voice messages for improved accessibility.

WhatsApp has refined message reactions by allowing users to view existing reactions and simply tap to join in, making casual engagement more fluid. iPhone users also benefit from a new document scanning feature integrated directly into the app, making it easier to send scanned files without needing third-party tools. Additionally, iOS users now have the option to set WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business as their default app for messaging and calling, reflecting the growing role of the app as a primary communication hub. These updates reflect WhatsApp's on-going efforts to make the app more dynamic, user-friendly and responsive to real-life communication needs, reinforcing its place as a central tool for both everyday messaging and broader community interaction. With these enhancements, WhatsApp continues to adapt to the evolving ways people connect, making it an indispensable part of modern digital communication. Users can expect these features to roll out in the near future on both Android and iOS around the world.