WhatsApp Rolls Out New Features Across Chats, Calls, and Updates Tabs

WhatsApp has launched a range of new features aimed at enhancing user interaction and personalization across its Chats, Calls, and Updates tabs. The updates, which began rolling out this week, are designed to make communication more expressive, dynamic, and user-friendly.

Chats: A More Expressive Messaging Experience

In its core Chats tab, WhatsApp has introduced animated emojis, adding motion to commonly used expressions and making conversations feel more vibrant. Users can now also create animated stickers using their own video clips, offering a new level of personalization. Additionally, avatar-based social stickers are now available for one-on-one chats—but only when both users have avatars and are in each other’s contact lists.

Group creation has been streamlined: users can now start a group by simply giving it a name, with participants added later either manually or through a shareable invite link. Sending multiple photos or videos is now more intuitive, with the option to include a single caption for the entire collection. Recipients can respond to the group of media as a whole or react to individual items.

Calls: Filters and Effects for Livelier Video Chats

WhatsApp’s Calls tab is also getting a creative update. The platform has introduced six visual filters and six effects to spice up video calls and photo captures, adding a layer of fun to face-to-face digital conversations.

The Calls tab continues to offer essential call management features, including the ability to make voice and video calls, share call links, and review call history.

Updates: More Interaction and Control

In the Updates tab—home to WhatsApp’s Status and Channels—several new tools aim to improve engagement. Channel admins can now include images in poll options, making voting more visually interactive. Users can also star specific channel updates for easy access later.

A notable addition is the ability to mention entire groups in a Status update. When a group is mentioned, members receive a notification within their group chat and can share the Status to their own stories.

WhatsApp says these improvements are part of its ongoing effort to enhance user experience across the board, and more updates are expected in the near future.

Users are encouraged to update their apps to access the latest features and explore the new tools designed to make communication on WhatsApp more engaging than ever.