WhatsApp is constantly working on expanding its feature library to always offer a fresh user experience. Like every month, there’s a new batch of features waiting to be explored, and we are here to tell you all about them. So let’s look at all the new WhatsApp features added in September 2024.
Note: Some features are still in beta stage and can take a while before rolling out to stable versions.
New WhatsApp Features Added in September 2024 (Stable)
Here are some of the new features WhatsApp added to the stable versions of its app in September 2024.
1. Create AI Images from Attachments
- Available on Android and iPhone
In our May features list, we discussed that WhatsApp was making Meta AI’s image generation tool more accessible, by letting you access it from attachments. This way, you can quickly create an AI-generated image and share it with someone, without leaving the chat window. The feature was in beta back then, but it is now available for everyone.
2. Reply from the Media Viewer Screen
- Available on Android and iPhone
WhatsApp has also made it easier to reply to media files without having to exit the preview screen. So now when you tap on an image to view it in full screen, you will see the options to react and reply to it right there in each corner. This makes it convenient to respond to chats containing a media file.
3. Like Reaction for Status Updates
- Available on Android and iPhone
You can now react with the Like button on WhatsApp status updates. We discussed this in our August features list, but at the time it was in beta. Now the feature is available for everyone. You will see a new heart icon next to the text box when viewing someone’s status and tapping on it shows you have liked it.
4. New Status Update Previews
- Available on Android
WhatsApp is adopting a lot of design elements from Facebook and Instagram. One such element is the redesigned status updates which look more like Facebook stories. Instagram is also experimenting with this layout. And it is now rolling out for some stable users.
However, this seems like a server-side change as not everyone has received this redesign look. But I and some of my coworkers at Beebom on the stable build of WhatsApp have got this update.
5. Voice Chat with Meta AI
- Available on Android
WhatsApp is making it easier for you to interact with its in-app Meta AI. Previously you could only send your prompts by typing them out, but the Meta-owned company has added a new voice option. This allows you to record your queries and prompts and send them to the AI chatbot in case your hands are busy.
I tried it out and unless you are clear with your prompts, it does misunderstand them from time to time. And my heavy Indian accent doesn’t help. Still, it should be improved over time.
Upcoming WhatsApp Features in September 2024 (Beta)
WhatsApp also tested some upcoming new features in September 2024 and here are some of the new additions. Keep in mind that these are beta features; so you may not be able to access them straightaway.
6. Check Viewer’s Status Updates
- Testing on Android
Now coming to beta changes. First, we have a new change where you can jump to your viewer’s status updates, from the viewers list. This way, when you check who has viewed your status, you will also be able to learn which of your viewers have shared their updates by looking at the green ring around their profile. Tapping on it will take you to their status.
The feature is currently in beta and did not work for us. But from the looks of it, I suppose that it could become available for stable users pretty soon.
7. Manage Contact Syncing
- Testing on Android
WhatsApp will soon let you choose whether you wish to sync and back up your contacts or not. This will make it easier to manage contacts if you use the app on multiple devices or change phones. You can opt to delete contacts which will stop their backup, and when you switch to another device, only the saved contacts on the other devices will show on WhatsApp.
8. View Messages in Draft
- Testing on iPhone
Now this is a useful feature for forgetful folks like me. WhatsApp is adding a saved drafts feature, similar to Instagram. This will show your unsent message as Draft making it easier to identify them right from the main homepage without having to open an individual chat. The feature like others in this list is currently in its early stages, but I do hope to see it make it to stable soon.
9. Create Call Links in WhatsApp Group Chats
- Testing on Android
Don’t you hate when someone makes a group voice call, and your phone starts buzzing even if you can’t pick it up? Well, WhatsApp is working on a solution for this with call links. This feature will be available on group chats, where participants can create a call link and share it within the group. People interested can tap on the link to join the call without disturbing others.
You can also copy the link for the group call, however, it is not clear whether non-members will be able to join the call if you share the link with them. But we will find out once the feature drops out of beta.
10. New Meta AI Changes
- Testing on Android and iPhone
This month also saw some new but significant upcoming changes come to Meta AI. Especially during the Meta Connect 2024 event, where Mark Zuckerberg announced the new Llama 3.2 model which supports multi-modality. This gives you more ways to interact with Meta AI instead of just text.
Soon you can share images with the AI chatbot, and change different aspects of it by giving it a prompt. This will work into features like “Create Your AI-Generated Image” and share photos that we talked about in our July WhatsApp features list.
Meta Voice is soon coming to WhatsApp, acting like your AI assistant just like Google’s Gemini or Microsoft Copilot. You can change the voice model to sound like your favorite celebrities. Mark Zuckerburg did a live demo of Meta Voice using the famous actor, Awkwafina’s voice.
WhatsApp Business is getting Meta AI as well. Bringing its AI prowess to help business owners, learn about how they can improve their business practices, or use it more productively, like creating stats or for organizational tasks.
11. Media Upload Status in Live Activities
- Testing on iPhone
This is yet another minor but helpful addition coming to WhatsApp for iOS. iPhone users with a dynamic island will soon get to see a new live activity, showing the media upload status. This way, you don’t have to check WhatsApp constantly when sharing a large file. You will be able to glance at the upload status right from the live activity at the top.
12. Create Custom Contact List
- Testing on Android
Just last month we talked about a new “Favorites” filter that lets you quickly sort through your favorite contacts on the app. Now, WhatsApp is working on the ability to create custom Filters. This will help you create custom lists, let’s say for your office coworkers or in-laws. You can add a person or a group to this custom list from their profile or group info page.
This new option will save you a lot of time, as you don’t have to scroll through the chat page to find the contact you are looking for.
13. Transfer Community Ownership
- Testing on Android
This month, we also saw an updated look at the community ownership transfer page. We previously saw this feature in May, and now we get a better look at it. This will let community owners transfer their ownership to another member if they no longer wish to hold that position anymore.
14. Mention Contacts in Status Updates
For months we have been talking about mentions feature coming to WhatsApp. This month, we finally got our hands on it. The gist is that you can privately mention someone in your status and only they will get the alert that they have been mentioned.
At the moment, you can mention up to five people in total at the same time in a status. Mentioned people, can also reshare your status, but others won’t know about it. It looks almost close to completion and hopefully, it comes out for everyone in the next month or two.
15. Reshare WhatsApp Status Updates
- Testing on Android
As discussed above, people who are mentioned privately in a status update can reshare the status as their own. But the older reshare button was just an icon making it difficult to understand its exact purpose. So the app is experimenting with a revamped button that is labeled, tells you what it does, and is more prominent.
16. New Default Chat Theme
Like status mentions, chat themes have also been in the works for a while now. But now it looks more refined and close to completion. We have talked about it in depth here. But here are the highlights: there are 12 different colored presets with various wallpaper backdrops. The chat bubble’s color adjusts to match the tone of the background. You can also choose between light and dark themes and modify their intensity.
17. Block Messages from Unknown Contacts
To prevent spam messages from unknown numbers, WhatsApp is experimenting with a new privacy setting. There is a new toggle, that blocks unknown numbers if they start spamming and sending a lot of messages in a short period. We discussed this last month, but now it looks closer to completion. Note that it only blocks unknown numbers when they exceed a certain message limit.
18. Home Screen Badge Settings
- Testing on Android
WhatsApp is also bringing a change to how it shows notification count on the app icon on your phone’s home screen. Typically, when you open the app, the badge counter in your home screen gets reset to zero, if you haven’t addressed the unread message or missed calls. So a new option is added that adjusts the badge counter, rather than simply removing it. This will help you keep count of all the messages you still have to respond to.
19. Mark All Chats As Read
- Testing on Android
A much-requested feature that WhatsApp fans have been asking for is the “mark all chats as read” option. The good thing is WhatsApp is working on it, as discovered in a recent beta. But, in short, tapping on it will mark all your chats as read in one swift move.
It’s hard to believe that it took WhatsApp this long to add it but I am glad it is finally in the works and should come out of the beta soon.
20. Camera Effects and Filters
- Testing on Android
Earlier we talked about WhatsApp’s video call effects and filters which are available for stable users. Now it seems WhatsApp is expanding the feature set to photos as well. As you can see from the screenshot below, you will soon be able to apply AR filters and background effects when clicking a photo on the app.
We couldn’t check the feature ourselves, but it will promote users use WhatsApp’s built-in camera to click their photos for sharing, instead of using Snapchat or Instagram.
21. Search Links on the Web
WhatsApp prompts you when you receive a message with a link forwarded multiple times. However, that prompt was small and easily go unnoticed. That’s why, the app is introducing an updated prompt. It is bigger, and more prominent asking the user to get more info about the link or search the text in the message on Google. This will help them verify the authenticity of a link, to contain the spread of misinformation on the app.
22. Create Polls in Status Updates
WhatsApp is exploring a new poll feature for status updates. You will be able to add a poll sticker to your status, and then add multiple options before sharing it. Other people can then vote on your status poll, but they cannot see who else voted for which option. It is pretty similar to Instagram’s poll sticker and should come to the app pretty soon.
So these are all the new WhatsApp features that we have for September 2024. Come back again next month for a new set of features on our favorite messaging app. Let us know if you are excited about any of these new or upcoming additions in WhatsApp in the comments section below.
