Meta-owned WhatsApp has rolled out a significant update packed with new features designed to enhance the group chat experience for its massive user base. The update introduces three key functionalities: member tags, text stickers, and event reminders, all aimed at making group conversations more organized, expressive, and functional.
New Features to Supercharge Your Group Chats
The latest update brings tools that users have been requesting for a long time. The most notable addition is the ability to tag specific members within a group. This feature, similar to functionalities on other social platforms, allows any group participant to mention another member by typing the '@' symbol followed by their name. This ensures important messages or questions directed at a particular person are less likely to get lost in a flood of messages.
Alongside member tags, WhatsApp has introduced text stickers. This innovative feature lets users convert any text message into a sticker directly within the chat. By long-pressing on a text bubble, users will see a new "Create Sticker" option. The app then transforms the text into a sticker with a customizable background, which can be shared instantly. This adds a fun and personal layer to conversations, moving beyond static emojis.
Never Miss a Plan Again with Event Reminders
Perhaps the most practical addition for planning and coordination is the new event reminder feature. Group admins and members can now create events directly within a group chat. This could be for anything from a birthday party to a team meeting. Once an event is created with a title, date, and optional description, it appears in the group's information pane. Members can indicate if they are attending or not, and everyone who responds will receive an automatic reminder as the event date approaches.
This feature is expected to be a game-changer for community groups, family chats, and work teams, eliminating the need to switch to separate calendar apps to organize gatherings. It keeps all planning and communication neatly contained within WhatsApp.
How to Access and Use the New WhatsApp Tools
These features are part of a server-side update and are being gradually released to users worldwide. To use them, ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
To tag a member: Simply type '@' in the group chat text field. A list of group members will pop up. Select the person you want to tag. They will receive a notification highlighting your message.
To create a text sticker: Long-press on any text message you or someone else has sent. Tap on the three-dot menu (or the right-facing arrow) and select "Create Sticker." You can then choose a background style and share it.
To create an event: In the group chat, tap on the attachment (paperclip) icon. You will find a new "Event" option. Tap on it, fill in the event details (name, date, time, description), and hit "Create." The event will be pinned to the group's info screen.
This suite of updates underscores WhatsApp's continued focus on improving group interactions, which are central to its usage in India and globally. By integrating better organizational tools and creative expression options, the platform is evolving from a simple messaging app into a more comprehensive communication hub for communities.
