WhatsApp has been hard at work this month, with the company finally pushing out some much-awaited features we have been waiting for years. Additionally, our favorite messaging app added other improvements, and features that might have gone unnoticed but are worth checking out. So, with that said, let’s take a look at all the new WhatsApp features that were added in February 2025.
New WhatsApp Features Added in February 2025 (Stable)
Stable features are the ones that are rolling out for everyone on the latest version of WhatsApp. Let’s take a look at what new features have come our way this month.
1. Colorful Chat Themes
- Available on Android and iPhone
We have been covering WhatsApp themes for months, and the feature is finally out of the beta and available for everyone. This lets you apply default, or individual colorful themes to the chat screen, finally bringing some colors to the app. You can pick from 20 color options and 30 new wallpapers that are also new to WhatsApp. This new feature unlocks new ways to customize your WhatsApp experience.
2. Clear Chat Notifications
- Available on iPhone
On iPhone, the WhatsApp icon shows the unread count badge on the home screen, which can be annoying to look at. So, the app has added a new feature that clears the unread badge from the icon whenever you open the app. To find it, go to Settings > Notifications > turn on the Clear badge toggle. The feature is also in the works for the Android version, but is currently in beta.
3. Unread Chat Counter in Filters
- Available on iPhone
WhatsApp added chat filters back in May of last year, and now they are taking it a step further. You can now see a count of unread messages in their specific filters. So unread group chats will appear in the groups tab, the same goes for favorites and other custom filters. The feature is already available on iPhone but should come to Android soon enough.
4. Manage Playback Speed for Videos
- Available on Android and iPhone
Another handy new WhatsApp feature is the option to change playback speed for videos, which has been in testing since December. The button is available next to the video seek bar at the bottom right on Android, and at the top right side on iPhone. This lets you switch playback speed from 1x to 1.5x and 2x. I find this feature useful to go through cooking videos that I ask my mom to send me at times.
5. Meta AI Widget for Home Screen
- Available on Android
If you wanted to quickly get to your favorite AI chatbot, then WhatsApp has listened to your plea. There’s a new Meta AI widget that we talked about in our January features list. This widget lets you quickly jump into the Meta AI chat window.
Upcoming WhatsApp Features in February 2025 (Beta)
Upcoming or beta features are those that are still under development inside the WhatsApp labs. Only a few people who have signed up for WhatsApp beta have access to them. These give us a glimpse of what changes are coming to our favorite green app.
6. View Once Photos on Linked Devices
- Testing on Android and iPhone
While the ability to use the same WhatsApp account on other linked phones is always great, you always had to grab the primary phone when you receive a view once media. The company is finally addressing this issue, by letting you open such photos and other media on linked devices. This new feature is under testing for both Android and iPhone and should be available soon.
7. Instagram Account in WhatsApp Profiles
- Testing on Android and iPhone
The app is testing the ability to add a link to your Instagram account on your WhatsApp profile. You could already do this on WhatsApp for Business, but now the feature is coming for everyone. So you can simply mention your Instagram username in the profiles page, allowing your contacts to reach out to you on Instagram.
8. Allow Guests in Events Toggle
- Testing on Android and iPhone
The Events feature in WhatsApp has proven to be quite useful when organizing parties, birthdays, or any other get-together. Now, WhatsApp is trying to expand its usefulness by allowing event creators to toggle on an option to Allow guests. With this enabled, when someone accepts the event invite, they will have the option to mention whether they are bringing guests along with them to plan ahead.
9. Manage Chat Notifications
- Testing on Android
As discussed above, WhatsApp is working to bring the ability to clear the unread message counter for Android. It will work similarly, letting you clear the chat notification badge from the app icon, once you open the app. Since it is already available for WhatsApp on iPhone, I don’t think we will have to wait long for this feature to come out of beta on Android.
10. Redesigned Text Status Updates
- Testing on Android
When posting a text status update on WhatsApp, the biggest hassle is cycling through multiple fonts and background colors. So WhatsApp is working on a new page layout where different fonts and colors will be laid out at the bottom. This will make it far easier to pick whichever option you want right away without any issues.
11. Photo Stickers Status Updates
- Testing on Android
To make status updates more fun, WhatsApp experimenting with a new Photo sticker option. It lets you select and add an image on top of another one inside a WhatsApp status. They are also trying out different shapes that you can use these stickers in, offering you to make your status updates pop out. If these look familiar to you, that’s because you may have already seen or used them on Instagram.
12. Add Labels in Group Chats
- Testing on Android
In large group chats or professional ones, it can be confusing to understand the role of each member. That is why the company is working on a new feature that will let group members add a label to their roles. So people can self-label themselves, like a Manager, someone’s parents or an admin.
13. Filters in Status Update Page
- Testing on Android
Currently, the status update page shows your contact status at the top, and channels updates below them. This does make it a little difficult to browse through all the new status updates or peak at them once. This is why WhatsApp is bringing filters for status updates, separating the two and making it easier to browse through them. Similar to what they have done for the chat page.
14. New Menu for WhatsApp Group Calls
- Testing on Android
While WhatsApp has one of the best calling experiences of any messaging app, they have still to figure out group chat calls. Currently, you can tap on the two options above to immediately place a voice or video group call.
But WhatsApp is improving this experience with a new menu that will let users select between voice calls, video calls, select individual users to place calls with, or create a call link that other users can join. WhatsApp temporarily tested some of these features, but now they are tidying it up in a single menu.
15. Create and Share Custom WhatsApp Stickers
- Testing on Android and iPhone
If you enjoy sharing stickers and finding new ones on the app, then WhatsApp is adding an option to create personalized custom sticker packs. This will let you press on a sticker and add it to your collection. You can then name said collection and add more stickers as you go. You can even include entire sticker packs in your bulk pack. However, the option is currently in testing for both Android and iPhone.
So these are all the new WhatsApp features we had in store for you from February 2025. I am actually very excited that the new chat themes feature is finally rolling out for everyone. Besides that, the photo sticker looks quite promising. Do let us know which new WhatsApp feature you are looking forward to in the comments below.
