WhatsApp It is undoubtedly one of the most used instant messaging applications in the world. Virtually anyone who uses a Android mobile, iPhone, or even desktop and tablet versions, has WhatsApp as its primary daily communication tool. Beyond sending messages and sharing media, the app offers a multitude of hidden features and tricks that can greatly optimize your experience, improve privacy, increase productivity, and enhance the personalization of each conversation.
Guide: All the useful WhatsApp tricks you should know
WhatsApp WhatsApp has evolved from a simple messaging app to a complete ecosystem with hundreds of advanced options. Whether you're an experienced user or just installing the app, knowing these features will help you get the most out of it like never before. In this article, we compile and explain all the useful WhatsApp tricks, from the most basic to the most advanced, integrating every important detail so you don't miss a thing.
1. Mark messages as unread: Don't miss any important messages
Sometimes we quickly read messages at work or on the way home and then forget to reply. WhatsApp allows mark conversations as unread so you don't lose sight of important messages and can return to them when you have time.
- On Android: Long press on the chat in the main list and select the "Mark as unread" icon. A green circle will appear next to the chat.
- An iPhone: Swipe the chat to the right and tap “Mark as unread.”
2. Pin important chats and create shortcuts
If you have chats or groups that you interact with frequently, WhatsApp allows fix them on top from your conversation list to always have them handy. You can even create shortcuts on your Android phone's home screen to open certain chats with a single tap.
- Pin chats: Long press on a chat and tap the pin icon to pin it. You can pin up to three conversations.
- Create shortcuts: Open the chat, tap the menu (three dots), choose “More,” then “Create shortcut.”
3. Text formatting: bold, italics, strikethrough, and more
Enrich your messages using bold, italics o crossed text It helps highlight key ideas and improve communication. WhatsApp makes it easy to apply these formats:
- Bold font: Write the text between asterisks:
*texto* - Italics: Use underscores:
_texto_ - Strikethrough: Put commas:
~texto~ - Monospaced: Use three grave accents:
```texto```
You can also combine these styles, and on most devices, selecting the text will bring up direct formatting options without memorizing the symbols.
4. Change the background of each chat in a personalized way
Customizing the background in your conversations is an option that makes it easier to identify each chat or group, in addition to adding a personal touch and differentiating between personal and work conversations.
- Open the chat, tap the menu, and select “Wallpaper.”
- Choose your favorite background and apply the change to that chat only.
5. Use emojis, GIFs, and stickers for more expressive conversations
WhatsApp includes a extensive emoji search engine, animated GIF integration, and the ability to create your own custom stickers. Take advantage of these tools to make your chats more fun and visual:
- emoji: Enter keywords in the emoji search to easily find the one you need. If you send a single emoji, it will appear larger.
- GIFs: Tap the emoji icon, switch to the GIF tab, and use the magnifying glass to search for animations.
- Custom stickers: Use the "Create Sticker" feature with your own photos or images from your gallery directly from the app.
6. Read messages without leaving a trace (no blue check mark or last connection)
There are several methods to read messages without the sender receiving a read receipt:
- Widgets (Android): Add the WhatsApp widget to your home screen so you can read messages without opening the app.
- Airplane mode: Turn on airplane mode, read your messages, and close the app before reconnecting.
- Notifications: Read from pop-up notifications or the notification bar without accessing the chat.
Also, you can disable read receipt in Settings > Account > Privacy > Read Receipts. Note: You'll also no longer see blue check marks from others.
7. Configure who can see your personal information
WhatsApp allows a total privacy control:
- From Settings > Account > Privacy, choose who can see your profile picture, information, status, last seen time, and who adds you to groups.
- Select “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” “My Contacts except…” or “Nobody” in each case.
8. Protect WhatsApp and specific chats with a fingerprint, face, or password
If you share your phone or want maximum security, you can block all WhatsApp with a fingerprint, facial recognition, or a code. Go to Settings > Privacy > Fingerprint Lock (Android) or Face ID (iOS). You can also password protect certain chats (Blocked chats folder) and hide them from the main list.
9. Use WhatsApp on your computer: WhatsApp Web and desktop app
To work comfortably or type faster, WhatsApp offers two desktop options:
- WhatsAppWeb: Access from web.whatsapp.comScan the QR code from your mobile phone and enjoy all the features in the browser.
- WhatsApp desktop: Download the official app for Windows or Mac and log in with your account.
10. Send broadcast messages: save time sharing information
If you need send the same message to several people without creating a group, use the mailing lists. Choose your contacts, write your message, and each one will receive it individually.
- On the chats screen, press menu and select “New Broadcast” (Android) or “Broadcast Lists” (iOS).
- Choose the recipients and write the message only once.
11. Add and manage administrators in groups
If you are the only administrator of a group and need help, you can add multiple administrators to distribute management tasks:
- Enter the group, tap on the contact's name, and select "Make group admin."
- You can set it so that only admins can write messages in the group (ideal for announcements or informational groups).
12. Advanced group management: total control
Groups can be chaotic if everyone edits, writes, or changes the name. WhatsApp allows limit who can write, avoid name or photo changes and select who can add new members. Customize permissions to maintain order or so only administrators can modify key options.
13. Export entire chats, including images and files
To save a copy or share entire conversations (with or without attachments):
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat History > Export Chat.
- Choose whether to export text only or include all media files, and select how to save or share the resulting file.
14. Free up space and optimize WhatsApp storage
WhatsApp can take up a lot of space Clean up your phone's accumulated photos, videos, documents, and messages. Easily free up memory by going to Settings > Storage & data > Manage storage. There you can see what's taking up the most space and delete files or entire chats without losing other conversations.
15. Change your WhatsApp number without losing your chats
WhatsApp is linked to your number, but if you change lines, you can keep all your data:
- Go to Settings > Account > Change Number and follow the process to migrate your messages and groups to the new line.
- Remember to manually notify your contacts of the change, as some may lose track of you if they don't update your phone number in their address book.
16. Use two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone
Separating your personal and professional life is possible through the native function (on compatible smartphones) or by using app cloning applications, such as those included in some Huawei, Samsung, and Xiaomi phones, or through secondary spaces on Android. This way, you can have two WhatsApp accounts on one device and manage them separately.
17. Temporary messages, self-destruction and ephemeral content
To maintain privacy or avoid clutter in chats, WhatsApp allows activate temporary messages that self-destruct after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. Activate it in your chat settings (group or contact name > Temporary Messages) and choose the appropriate timeframe.
In addition, you can send photos or videos to view only once, preventing them from being stored. Before sending them, click the "1" icon in the preview.
18. Customized notifications for each contact or group
setup a different notification tone for each chat And so you'll know who's texting you without looking at your phone. Enter the chat, tap on the name, and adjust your custom notifications by choosing sound, vibration, push notifications, and more.
19. See who has read your messages in groups
Want to know who's received and read your group messages? Long-press on the message and tap the information icon. You'll see the list of members and the delivery/read status.
20. Recover deleted messages and make backup copies
WhatsApp allows recover messages or entire conversations Thanks to its cloud backup system (Google Drive, iCloud). Activate it in Settings > Chats > Backup and you can restore conversations when you reinstall the app or migrate to another device.
21. Transcribe voice messages to text
Now WhatsApp allows transcribe voice messages to text (on supported devices and after downloading the required language pack). Tap and hold the audio and choose the transcription option. Ideal for when you can't hear the audio spoken aloud.
22. Share your location in real time
In situations where you need someone else to follow your route (for example, when meeting a friend or traveling), you can share real time location for the period of your choice (15 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours) from the attach option in the chat (clip or “+” symbol > Location > Real-time location).
23. Use WhatsApp as a personal notes space (send messages to yourself)
Create a chat with yourself to use WhatsApp as a notepad, send files, reminders, or to-do lists. Simply search for your own number in your address book or select yourself from "New Chat" to open a personal thread.
24. Hide sensitive chats using chat lock
For maximum privacy, block specific chats and save them in a folder visible only with a password, fingerprint, or a secret emoji. This way, sensitive or private messages will be hidden from prying eyes.
25. Resize emojis and use creative GIFs
When you send a single emoji, it will appear large. If you accompany it with text or add multiple emojis, it will be standard size. You can create Custom GIFs from videos clipped in WhatsApp and share them directly.
26. Delete messages for everyone after sending them
Do you regret something you sent by mistake? You have some room to change. delete messages for both you and the recipients. Press and hold and select “Delete for everyone.”
27. Adjust the visibility of received photos and videos
Prevent WhatsApp media from cluttering your gallery by turning off Media Visibility in Settings > Chats, or by customizing this setting on a per-chat basis.
28. Change your name, photo and personal information with extra tricks
You can leave your name blank by using special characters, and update your photo, information, and status by accessing your profile from Settings and using the built-in editor.
29. Use WhatsApp on Android tablets and Android TVs
Thanks to WhatsApp Web or the desktop version, you can use the app on tablets, even on devices without a SIM card, or on Android TVs that allow the installation of apps from Google Play.
30. Use voice commands with Google Assistant or Siri
Both Google Assistant and Siri allow send WhatsApp messages using your voice. Activate the assistant and say: "Send a WhatsApp to" and dictate the message.
31. Share your contact using the WhatsApp QR code
Make it easy for others to add you by showing your personal QR directly from your profile, scannable in seconds and without having to dictate the number.
32. Protect your privacy: hide your last seen time and online status
If you prefer to go unnoticed, you can hide the last connection time and online status from Settings > Account > Privacy > "Last seen and online time." This way, no one will know when you were last online or if you're currently active.
33. Find out who has blocked you and how to find out
If you suspect someone has blocked you, try adding them to a group. If the app doesn't allow it, they've probably blocked you. Another clue is not being able to see their photo, status, or last seen.
34. Automate responses and manage your messages with external tools
In business or power user accounts, you can use WhatsApp Business to configure Auto-replies, labels, product catalogs, and welcome or absence messages.
35. Improve the quality of your images and videos
Send high-quality photos and videos by tapping the "HD" button before sending. This way, you avoid compression and maintain the original sharpness.
36. Find messages, files, links or photos in seconds
Use the integrated search engine on the main page to locate messages in all chats, or the internal search engine for each conversation to quickly filter by words, files, links, GIFs, or documents.
37. Use WhatsApp as a personal or professional organization tool
With self-chats, broadcast lists, and groups, WhatsApp can be your hub for reminders, tasks, cross-device file sharing, and more.
38. Easily transfer your history to a new phone
WhatsApp makes it easy to migrate your account and conversations to another device using the direct transfer feature, automatic cloud backups, or the "Transfer chats to another device" option available in recent versions.
39. Access test features by joining the beta program
If you want to be among the first to receive updates, join the beta tester program through Google Play or TestFlight on iOS, although there may be minor bugs in experimental features.
40. Ideas to further protect your privacy and avoid gossips
- Mute contacts or groups without leaving them.
- Turn off message pop-up notifications so that the preview doesn't show content on the lock screen.
- Block automatic file downloads to avoid cluttering your storage with unwanted photos or videos.
41. Access WhatsApp from additional devices
From the "Linked Devices" option, sync up to four devices (web, desktop, tablets) to use the same account even if your phone isn't connected to the network.
42. Adjust the font size in chats
You can change the text size in your chats by going to Settings > Chats > Font Size to make it easier to read, depending on your preferences.
43. Control and mute media files in groups
Prevent files from downloading automatically in groups by setting manual downloads and limit media visibility in the gallery.
44. Discover the emoji search and smart suggestions
Type a word and you'll see automatically suggested emojis. emoji finder allows you to find the perfect icon for your message.
45. Update WhatsApp to access new features
Remember to keep the app updated to access the latest security, privacy, and advanced tools.
The number of possibilities offered by WhatsApp is enormous and continues to grow with each update. Exploring these useful tricks will allow you to get the most out of the app, master your privacy, personalize your experience, protect your data, and better organize your daily life, both personally and professionally. Explore, experiment, and take advantage of each feature to turn WhatsApp into a much more powerful tool than you imagined.