New tools let users hide poll votes, mention everyone and create smaller groups.
WhatsApp has introduced a range of new features designed to make group chats easier to manage while giving users greater control over their privacy.
The messaging platform has rolled out three updates focused on improving polls, along with new tools for group mentions and creating smaller groups from existing communities.
WhatsApp improves group polls
The latest update gives users more control over how polls work in group chats.
Users can now hide their names when voting in polls, allowing them to participate without publicly revealing their choices.
WhatsApp is also adding the ability to set a time limit for polls. In addition, users can edit a poll within 15 minutes of creating it, making it easier to correct mistakes or update poll details shortly after posting.
WhatsApp adds @all mention
Another new feature is the @all mention, which allows users to notify everyone in a group at the same time.
However, WhatsApp has placed a restriction on the feature for larger groups. In groups with more than 32 members, only group administrators will be able to use the @all mention.
The feature could make it easier to get the attention of an entire group when an important announcement or message needs to be shared.
Users can create similar WhatsApp groups
WhatsApp is also introducing a “Create a similar group” option, which can be accessed through the group details screen.
The feature allows users to select members from an existing group and create a smaller group for more focused conversations.
This could be particularly useful when users want to create separate groups for specific topics or smaller groups of members without manually adding everyone again.
These new group features are currently rolling out to WhatsApp users.
WhatsApp tests new chat themes
Meanwhile, WhatsApp is working on additional customisation options for Android users.
The platform is testing three new chat theme categories: Featured, Doodle and Minimal.
The Featured category includes animated wallpapers with slow and subtle movement, designed to add visual effects without distracting users from their conversations.
The Doodle category brings back WhatsApp’s classic pattern-based backgrounds, while the Minimal category offers plain white or dark backgrounds depending on the device’s system settings.
All three theme categories can automatically adjust chat bubble colours to complement the selected background.
However, the new theme options are still under development and are not yet available to beta testers.
WhatsApp continues to expand its group management, privacy and customisation tools as it works to improve the overall messaging experience.