Another month has passed, and a bunch of new features have landed on our favorite messaging app, while others have made their way to public release. Like last month, we saw some pretty neat features that I am giddy to share with you. So, if you are as excited as I am to learn what new features and changes were added to WhatsApp in November 2024, then take a look at the list below.
New WhatsApp Features Added in November 2024 (Stable)
Here I have listed all the new WhatsApp features that are available for everyone, even those who are not a part of the Beta program. If you haven’t received them on your device then I recommend you update the app now.
1. Transcribe Voice Messages
- Available on Android and iPhone
WhatsApp has added the ability to transcribe voice messages that you have received. This allows you to read the contents of a voice note if you are unable to hear the message itself. The feature was previously seen in Beta, but it’s now slowly rolling out for everyone on Android and iPhones.
3. New Typing Indicators
- Available on Android and iPhone
This month we also saw the company doing away with its iconic Typing… indicator and replacing it with a new modern one which we see in other apps like Instagram, or iMessage. It pops up when the other person is typing, and it looks visually more appealing since it is animated.
4. Status Update Reminders
- Available on Android and iPhone
Another new change coming for everyone is Status Update Reminders. It will send you random alerts for status updates of your favorite contacts. This is pretty similar to how Instagram will notify you when one of your friends uploads a story. You can obviously turn it off anytime from Notification settings.
5. Message Drafts
- Available on Android and iPhone
Message Draft is another feature that was previously available in beta but now rolling out for everyone. It shows your unsent message as a draft, making it easier to spot them from your chat list and continue the conversation where you left off. We first saw this feature back in September, and I am glad that it’s now available for everyone.
6. Add Captions to GIFs
- Available on Android and iPhone
You can also now add captions to the GIFs before sending them, making it more fun to use them before. This is a pretty minor feature, as it went under the radar even for me, but I am sure people who often use GIFs on WhatsApp will definitely appreciate it.
Upcoming WhatsApp Features in November 2024 (Beta)
Here we have discussed all those WhatsApp features that are currently under testing and will roll out to everyone at a later date.
7. Shortcut for Media Gallery
- Testing on Android
To make it easier for you to access your media files in a chat, WhatsApp is experimenting with a new image gallery shortcut in the chat window. It will appear next to the attachment icon and will allow you to jump into your image folder directly. While it is handy, I feel it will clutter the typing space, unless WhatsApp allows you to choose whether you want to keep it or not.
8. Add Yours Stickers
- Testing on Android
In an attempt to make draw further engagement to their status updates feature, WhatsApp is now borrowing Instagram’s Add Yours sticker. This interactive sticker allows others to share status updates upon tapping the sticker creating a chain. Instagram’s version shows you who started this chain and also lets you view what others have shared which doesn’t seem to be the case here. It is still in its early stages and I hope that it lands on our apps soon.
9. Themed Contact Icons
- Testing on Android
Currently, those who don’t have a profile photo will appear as a gray contact icon. This is the same for everyone, which sometimes makes it difficult to differentiate between chats. That could be why WhatsApp is working on themed contact icons, which will assign different colored contact icons, making them stand apart from each other.
10. Animated Emojis
- Testing on Android
We already know that some emojis on the app have an animation, but it seems like WhatsApp is further expanding it to the message reactions feature. Some beta testers spotted this feature, where reacting to a message with Party Popper, Partying Face, and Confetti Ball emojis, triggers a festive confetti-like animation. This is probably in preparation for the upcoming New Year, but I hope more emojis get added to this list later on.
11. Meta AI Improvements
- Testing on Android
Meta AI has received numerous updates since its release on the app, and it still has a long way to go. We previously discussed that the coming is working on a one on one voice chat feature for the AI, but now we get a glimpse of what its new dedicated screen will look like. As you can see, it looks similar to ChatGPT’s voice chat screen, with an option to either talk or type your message.
12. New Call Info Screen
- Testing on Android
WhatsApp has also revamped its call info screen, where now it shows a bigger profile banner, and shortcuts for audio or video calls, and even message the person directly. It will also group together call logs for a single contact decluttering your call page. You can take a look at the old and the new call info page above.
13. Group Mentions
- Testing on Android and iPhone
Last month, WhatsApp officially rolled out the mentions feature in status updates for everyone. But it only lets you select individual contacts, that too up to 5 only. But now, the app is testing the ability to mention a group as well. This will alert every member of said group when you tag them in your updates, indirectly allowing you to mention a large circle of friends.
14. Add Message Before Forwarding
- Testing on Android
We often forward message to multiple individuals but if let’s say you want to add a message along with the forwarded content then you will have to do it one by one for each person you are forwarding to. To remedy this, WhatsApp will introduce the ability to attach a custom message, making it more convenient to share forwards.
So that wraps up this month’s WhatsApp feature list. I am actually quite surprised how many new features made their way to the stable release, and I can’t wait for the features that are in beta to arrive for everyone. Let us know which one of these features you want to see arrive on WhatsApp in the comments below.
Partner Content
