When we last visited our monthly features list, we saw several features that are coming to our favorite messaging app. This month, we get to see some more exciting changes that were added to WhatsApp. From voice chat mode coming to Meta AI to chat themes arriving for individual chats along with privacy-oriented features. There is a lot to unpack here so let’s quickly jump into our list of new features added to WhatsApp in August.
As always, some features discussed below are still in development and might come sometime later down the line. That’s why we have divided the list into two categories and labeled them “upcoming features”.
New WhatsApp Features Added in August 2024 (Stable)
1. Community Group Descriptions (iOS)
The first feature in the stable release this month is the community group chat description. This will appear when creating a community group chat, and admins can enter detailed information about the group, along with rules and other guidelines. This way, members will have complete information about a group before or after joining one.
To get this feature, update WhatsApp to the latest version from the App Store. It is also coming to Android devices, as you can see in the screenshot above. However, it is still in beta with no exact date when it will be available for Android users.
2. GIPHY Stickers Support
To help you express more on WhatsApp, the app has partnered with GIPHy and bringing their collection of stickers to you. This will let you search for some fun and hilaruious stickers without leaving the chat. You can access these new stickers from the stickers section of the app.
Upcoming WhatsApp Features Added in August 2024 (Beta)
3. Voice Chat Mode for Meta AI (Android and iOS)
To make interactions with Meta AI more convenient, WhatsApp is adding a new voice chat mode. Currently, a lot of users don’t interact with the chatbot as you have to type out the message and wait for the response. The new mode will let you have one-on-one conversations by just using your voice with Meta AI in real time.
Users can switch back to the traditional typing method anytime by tapping the keyboard option seen in the screenshot. Users will also be able to control the responses of the Meta AI as they can select between Full and Brief options. The Full mode will be best suited for detailed and lengthy responses while Brief mode would be great for quick chit-chat.
WhatsApp will let you choose between 10 different voice models for the chatbot. This will offer a highly personalized conversation experience with Meta AI. Imagine you are having a deep conversation with the chatbot so you can pick a more soothing and calm voice over an energetic one. You’ll also have captions and transcripts for the voice chat, which can be turned off.
4. Lists in WhatsApp Settings (Android)
Recently we saw a favorites filter added to WhatsApp to quickly find the contacts that we interact with the most. In a recent beta for Android, a new Lists option was spotted on the settings page of the app. It will let you create a custom list of contacts and groups so that you can find them quickly on the app. It will work similarly to labels that are available to WhatsApp Business users.
You will be able to assign custom names, and emojis to your lists to easily identify them. I can already see myself using it to create a list of all my family members. This way I can connect with them quickly without leaving out any of them. The feature was spotted on WhatsApp Beta for Android and should be available at a later date.
5. Hidden Visibility for Community Groups (Android and iOS)
For those of you who manage community groups, WhatsApp is adding a new feature to let you change the visibility when creating a new group chat. Yes, admins can now choose to hide new groups from other members of the community. However, once you mark a new group as hidden, you cannot change it.
Only invited members can see these hidden groups which makes it perfect for moderators, admins, and secret groups in the community. This feature is also seen in a beta release of WhatsApp for iOS and should be available sometime later this year.
6. Duration for Community Group Chats (Android and iOS)
The events feature that was introduced just a couple of months back, has made it easier for group members to create and organize events in WhatsApp. Now, they can even add a duration for said event within the app. You’ll be able to set a start and end time which will be visible to other members of the group.
This way organizers can mention the duration while creating an event. And attendees can manage their schedule around the event.
7. Avatars in Profile Photos (Android)
You can already create and set your avatar as a profile photo on WhatsApp. But you can only have either your own photo or the avatar as your profile picture at a time. You can’t set the two together. Well, an upcoming update will let you set both as people will be able to swipe on your profile photo to see your avatar.
This will be a great option for those who want to put up their avatar, but without removing their current photo on WhatsApp. It is currently under beta and might be available in a later release.
8. New Default WhatsApp Theme (Android)
In the previous features list, we discussed that WhatsApp is working on bringing different colored themes to the app. Now it seems like, in preparation for custom themes, the app will be removing its default green theme in place of a black and white one.
As you can see from the screenshot above, WhatsApp will have black accents in light mode, and white accents in dark mode for better visibility. Users can then change the default theme of the app to whichever color they prefer.
9. New Individual Chat Themes (Android and iOS)
On the topic of themes, the app is also bringing themes for individual chats. This will let you personalize each chat with its own different colored theme. Similar to how you can do on Instagram or Facebook Messenger. But the other person won’t see the theme you have applied to the chat. It will be different from the main theme of the app.
You might also get to change the color of the message bubbles providing even further customizations to your chats. The feature will launch with 10 themes which might increase over time. You can check out our Set themes in WhatsApp chats guide to learn more.
10. Status Updates Reaction (Android)
Given how popular their status has been since they arrived on WhatsApp, the company finding ways to make them more engaging. Previously we discussed that you’ll be able to mention other contacts in your status. But now, the app is adding a heart reaction similar to Instagram stories. So you can quickly react with a heart showing the person that you like their status.
The recipient will be notified for about it, and they can see who reacted on their status from the views list. There’s also going to be an option to disable reaction notifications within the settings. However, it is not clear when this feature will arrive on the app.
11. Block Bulk Messages From Unknown Numbers (Android)
More often than not, some scammer or business will start spamming you with a barrage of messages causing your phone to go berserk. That’s not an issue for you but even for WhatsApp itself as it has to spend significant resources and space to process those messages. So they added a new “Block unknown account messages” toggle.
This will prevent messages from unknown numbers from pestering you on the app. Saving you the frustration of dealing with them. The app will automatically prevent incoming messages when they cross a certain threshold. This option is currently under testing and will be available in the Advanced option within Privacy settings.
12. PIN Verification (Android)
To further limit businesses and unknown numbers from contacting you, WhatsApp will be adding a PIN verification method in place which is currently under beta testing. You will be able to set up a PIN with at least four digits. Once you have set it up, unknown numbers who are contacting you for the first time will be required to enter the PIN.
Only when you share the code with them, can they message you else there is no way for them to contact you on the app, even if they have your number or username. But this will not affect existing chats with contacts and businesses. You can read about how this feature works in our in-depth coverage here.
13. AR Effects and Filters for Video Calls (iOS)
For those of us who love video calling, WhatsApp is adding AR effects, face filters, and backgrounds to the iOS version of the app. These features will show up during video calls, allowing you to try out some fun face effects similar to Snapchat. There’s also “Touch Up” which will smoothen your face when you don’t have the time to get ready and attend a call super quick.
You can also blur your background or hop into different scenarios with other options. This will elevate the video calling experience on the app for everyone.
14. Mark All Chats as Read (Android)
For years we all have been asking WhatsApp to add a “Mark all as Read” option and now it looks like they have finally listened to us. In a recent beta, a new option was spotted in the overflow menu on the chat screen which will help mark all messages as seen with a single tap.
This will help clear the clutter of several unread messages from chats on the app. Most of which are from business. It will save you the hassle of opening individual chats to mark them as read. However, there is no clear timelines for when the feature will arrive but it should come pretty soon.
15. Passkey Protected Backups (Android)
Your WhatsApp backups are already end-to-end encrypted with a 64-bit encryption key that can only be accessed via a secure backup. This ensures that no one except you can access your chats and media files. Now the app is exploring Passkey integration which will let you unlock your secure backups with your fingerprint or face.
This will make it convenient to access your backups as you won’t have to remember a complex password and instead use biometric authentication to remove the encryption.
These are all the new features we got to see in August. It can be a bummer for a lot of you who were expecting some new stable features, but the app is currently in the process of testing a lot of things which will eventually start arriving on the messaging app soon. So stay tuned to learn about those features when the arrive next month on the app.
