WhatsApp has been innovating for years, adding features that facilitate communication and make the experience more enjoyable for millions of users. One of the most important new features is the filters for chats and video calls , which allow you to organize, search, personalize, and manage both conversations and images and backgrounds in real time. Below, we explain everything you need to know to get the most out of this feature, how to use it, and all the possibilities it currently offers.
WhatsApp Filters: What Are They For and What Types Are There?
WhatsApp filters have evolved to encompass different aspects of the app, not only allowing you to organize and categorize your chats , but also personalize your video calls with visual effects and custom backgrounds . These filters address users' need to manage large volumes of messages and enhance the appearance of their video calls, providing convenience, privacy, and creativity.
We can divide WhatsApp filters into two main groups: filters for organizing chats and visual filters for photos and video calls . We'll explain how each one works and what advantages they offer:
- Conversation filters: They allow you to filter and display specific conversations based on criteria such as unread chats, group chats, or all chats.
- Visual filters and backgrounds for video calls: They offer the ability to apply color effects, blur, background changes, and enhance the visual appearance during video calls.
- All: All your active conversations are displayed, both individual and group.
- Not read: Here you'll only see chats that contain unread messages, helping you prioritize pending responses without them getting mixed up with already-attended chats.
- Groups: This option shows you only group conversations, allowing direct and organized access to them.
This feature is available on both the mobile app and the desktop and web versions of WhatsApp. Furthermore, the layout of these buttons takes advantage of the new interface design, optimizing previously empty spaces and improving the visual experience.
It's important to note that conversation filters also simplify the search for files, documents, images, and links that tend to accumulate in chats, making them easier to find when you need them most. This way, you can quickly locate that important document, image, or link you shared in the past.
How to use visual filters and backgrounds in WhatsApp video calls
One of WhatsApp's most fun and modern features is the addition of customizable filters and backgrounds to video calls . This function allows users to modify the visual environment of video calls, protecting privacy, improving lighting, or simply adding a more artistic and dynamic touch to real-time conversations.
During a video call, you can access these effects by tapping the effects icons that appear in the top right corner of the screen. From there, several tabs will appear:
- Color filters and effects: Options include warm, cool, black and white, light leak, dreamy, prism light, fisheye, retro TV, frosted glass, and duo tone, among others.
- Customizable backgrounds: You can replace the real background with images like blur, living room, office, cafe, pebbles, food lover, softness, beach, sunset, celebration, and forest.
- Retouching and light enhancement options: Enhance your appearance naturally, adjust lighting, and enhance your image to deliver the best possible quality on your video calls.
Filter compatibility and how to access them
Conversation filters and visual filters are being rolled out gradually across all versions of WhatsApp. They are currently available on Android, iOS, WhatsApp Web, and the desktop app. To access them, make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
- On Android: Filters are displayed at the top of the screen, next to the search bar.
- On iOS: Swipe down on the chat list to reveal the search bar and filter icon.
- On the web and desktop: Access is via the filter icon in the search bar.
WhatsApp filters represent a revolution in both message organization and the audiovisual experience of video calls. Thanks to their rollout, it's now possible to keep chats perfectly organized , quickly find important messages, and add a personal and professional touch to video conversations, whether you're connecting from your phone or computer.
