Summer is coming and WhatsApp doesn't rest.While many are enjoying vacations, the team behind the most used messaging app continues to innovate and incorporate features designed to transform the way we communicate with friends, family, and professional contacts. The latest updates launch powerful tools that affect everything from design, privacy and Artificial IntelligenceUntil the States and the way to share multimedia content. If you want to be ahead of the curve, know every detail of WhatsApp's new features this summer, and don't miss a single trick, keep reading: here's the most complete and up-to-date analysis.
WhatsApp gets a complete makeover: all the new features coming this summer
WhatsApp has been constantly improving since its popularity, but this summer the list of updates is exceptionally extensive and in-depth. The application is evolving to offer a much richer experience, from small visual and usability details to extensive integrations with artificial intelligence and new privacy measures that respond to both user demands and new European legal frameworks.
Learn about hidden WhatsApp features that also improve your experience. and discover how to make the most of this summer's new features to optimize your use of the app.
New features in video and call sharing: screen sharing with audio, featured speaker, and more participants
- Screen sharing now with audio: One of the most anticipated features: you can now share your screen and stream audio from your phone or PC in real time. This makes sharing easier. youtube, presentations, tutorials, and watching movies online with another person or group as if you were together on the same couch.
- Increased limit on video call participants: It is now possible to connect up to 32 people simultaneously in a video call, regardless of whether you join from a mobile phone, tablet, or desktop.
- Featured Speaker: During video calls, WhatsApp automatically highlights the person speaking and places them in the foreground. This way, you won't lose track of the conversation, making it very useful for meetings, online classes, virtual parties, or large family gatherings.
- Improvements in audio and video quality: WhatsApp introduces the codec MLow to reduce echoes, noise, and interference, and adapt the quality according to your connection. If you have enough bandwidth, video calls will now be more resolution, even on not-so-fast connections.
- IP Hiding in Video Calls: Inspired by Signal, you can activate a privacy option so that your IP is not visible even during calls or video calls, sacrificing a bit of quality in exchange for shielding your online security.
Revolutionary interface changes: revamped design, usability, and customization
- Interface redesign on Android and WhatsApp Web: The multi-tab navigation bar moves from the top to the bottom of the screen, following the logic of iOS and allowing for a faster access and comfortable to chats, statuses, calls, communities and channelsThe traditional green color is softened, offering whiter, cleaner versions in light mode, and a revamped dark mode.
- Smart animations and buttons: Now the buttons (microphone, send, multimedia…) change dynamically depending on the action, with small animations that improve the visual experience, especially on mobile phones with high refresh rate screens.
- Personalization and new colors: WhatsApp is moving to a much more vibrant and customizable color palette. You'll soon be able to choose color themes for the app and individual chats, with color harmony designed to avoid unpleasant combinations.
- Increased contrast in menus: Menus and settings gain contrast to improve the accessibility and facilitate reading for people with visual difficulties.
More powerful group chats and new voice modes: voice rooms, voice chats, and more options
- Group voice rooms: WhatsApp adds the ability to start open voice chats in large groups (between 33 and 256 participants). After activating the sound wave icon, a room is created where members can join and leave at will, without having to activate a traditional call.
- More privacy and flexibility: These voice chats don't automatically notify all members, allowing you to join and leave without disturbing others, and the room remains open even if you leave the app.
- Updated icons for voice memo recording: The typical "Recording audio..." disappears and is replaced by a new microphone icon and three-dot animations to identify who is recording or typing. It's also now more quick to respond to an audio with another from the same message.
- Visual changes in groups: The profile picture of the user who posts in group chats has been added next to the animated icon, so you can always easily identify who is active in the conversation.
States and new methods of interaction: chains, surveys, and advanced privacy options
- Chains in States ('Add Yours' Stickers): WhatsApp imports the function to create from Instagram interactive content chains in the States. Now anyone can post a sticker inviting other contacts to join (for example, "Upload a photo of your pet"). Replies are only visible among those who have been mentioned, maintaining the privacy and end-to-end encryption.
- Longest states: The video length limit for Statuses has been extended, allowing up to 90 seconds per post (previously only 60). This way, you can share more or multiple moments without sharp cuts.
- Surveys in States: Surveys can be conducted directly within the States, to ask and know the opinion of your contacts on any topic in a more visual and spontaneous.
- Selective Mentions and Advanced Privacy: Thanks to new tools, you can publish statuses available only to specific people, leaving out other contacts if you wish.
Privacy and Security: New Usernames, Locks, and File Management Restrictions
- Unique usernames: WhatsApp introduces the option to create a unique username (preceded by @) to chat with new contacts without ever sharing your phone number. Users can provide their nickname or PIN (minimum 4 characters) to allow others to find them, adding an extra layer of security. privacy and control over who can contact you.
- Blocking screenshots on profile photos: You can no longer take screenshots on the profile picture from other contacts, strengthening the protection of your data and identity. However, WhatsApp reminds you that there's always the possibility of a profile photo being taken, so it recommends using appropriate images.
- Advanced chat and device protection: Chats protected by fingerprints, secret codes, and new forms of verification (passkeys, email) to protect your account access against impersonation or SIM swapping attacks.
- Advanced file management in temporary chats: In temporary chats, media files (photos, videos, GIFs) are no longer automatically saved to the device's gallery. When you delete a temporary chat, WhatsApp will not offer to save these files unless you disable temporary messages before they disappear.
Improvements to photo and video sending and management: HD quality selection and more
- Choose default quality in multimedia: You can define the default quality (HD) in the photos and videos you send, so you don't lose resolution every time you send a file. Ideal for those who use WhatsApp as a work tool or share important images.
- Ephemeral voice and video notes: You can send audio and video notes that self-destruct after listening to or opening them, perfect for sensitive or confidential messages.
- Editing and shipping from the renovated gallery: The integration of the camera and gallery makes it easy to selection of recent images, quick editing and preview before sending any file.
Artificial intelligence takes over: generated backgrounds, automatic summaries, AI stickers and bots
- AI-generated chat backgrounds: Thanks to Meta AI, you can create custom wallpapers for your chats using artificial intelligence. Adjust styles, colors, and features, and apply the wallpaper to all chats or selected conversations.
- Message summaries by artificial intelligence: Meta AI is capable of summarize automatically Messages accumulated in a chat, so you don't lose important information when you return to a conversation with dozens of pending messages. However, this option won't be available in chats with "Advanced Privacy Mode."
- AI-generated stickers and avatars: Features are rolling out to create custom or AI-generated stickers, as well as animated avatars that you can use in video calls instead of showing your real face.
- AI Bots in testing: In some markets, WhatsApp is testing AI-powered bots, which allow you to chat, request information, or automate simple tasks within the app itself.
Other features and general improvements: multi-account, multi-platform, channels, and new privacy options
- Multi-account and multi-device use: WhatsApp continues to make it easier to manage multiple accounts on the same phone, as well as linking them to other devices such as tablets, computers, and even Wear OS watches. You can now officially have two active numbers on a single phone.
- WhatsApp Web and Desktop Redesigned: The web and desktop versions feature a mobile-first interface with a sidebar, full synchronization, and direct access to chats, statuses, channels, communities, and archived messages.
- Channels and communities empowered: The one-way channels Designed for organizations, clubs, or content creators, they receive management improvements, and communities (groups within groups) facilitate large-scale coordination.
- Sending messages to yourself: You can now use WhatsApp as digital notepad, sending you messages, lists and reminders that only you can see.
- Third-party app support (future): WhatsApp is preparing for interoperability with other messaging apps to comply with European legislation. You'll soon be able to communicate with users who use different apps, something that will transform instant messaging as we know it.
Security improvements and protection against spam and impersonation
- Blocking spam calls: You can now automatically silence calls from unknown numbers and avoid unwanted calls or scams using this option in the privacy menu.
- Passkeys and email verification: New ways to verify your identity and protect your account against theft attempts, with more effective methods. payments than the old SMS.
- Proxy settings: WhatsApp allows you to connect to the platform through proxy servers to bypass blocks in countries where the app is censored.
Tips and tricks to get the most out of WhatsApp's new features this summer
- Share movies and music with friends on a video call thanks to screen sharing with audio. So you can enjoy it together from anywhere.
- Create interactive statuses with threads or polls to encourage groups on vacations or trips.
- Activate HD quality delivery for your vacation or event photos so they arrive just as you captured them.
- Use usernames to meet new people at festivals, campsites, or courses without exposing your mobile number.
- Take advantage of voice rooms to plan group activities without everyone having to wait for a traditional call.
- Set up temporary chats when you want to keep conversations confidential, knowing that files won't be automatically saved.
- Personalize your WhatsApp with new AI colors or backgrounds to express your unique style this summer.
