WhatsApp Features You Might Not Know About

WhatsApp gets updated frequently, but most people only use it for basic messaging and calls. These are the features buried in menus that actually change how you use the app every day.

1. Swipe to Reply

Instead of long-pressing a message and selecting Reply, just swipe right on any message to instantly quote-reply it. Faster and more natural. Works in both individual and group chats.

2. Picture-in-Picture Video Calls

When you’re on a WhatsApp video call and need to check something in another app, tap the Home button — the video call shrinks to a floating window in the corner of your screen. Tap it to return to full screen. Works on both Android and iPhone.

3. View Once Media

Send a photo or video that disappears after the recipient views it once. Tap the photo/video picker, then tap the “1” circle before sending. The recipient sees it once, then it’s gone. Useful for sending sensitive information like passwords, OTPs, or ID documents.

4. Pinned Messages in Groups

Long-press any message in a group chat → Pin. It appears at the top of the chat for everyone to see. Essential for group admins — pin the event details, meeting link, or important announcement so it doesn’t get buried in the conversation.

5. Multi-Device Support

WhatsApp now works on up to 4 devices simultaneously — phone, tablet, laptop, and desktop — without your phone needing to be on or connected. Go to WhatsApp on your phone → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device. Your messages sync across all of them.

6. Message Reactions

Long-press any message and a row of emoji reactions appears. Tap one to react without sending a reply. Reduces clutter in group chats where you’d otherwise send “👍” as a full message. Swipe right on the reaction bar to access the full emoji picker.

7. Channels (Follow Content)

WhatsApp Channels lets you follow public channels from creators, news outlets, sports teams, and businesses — like a one-way broadcast that comes to your WhatsApp. Find them via the Channels tab (the megaphone icon). Separate from your chats and visible only as public broadcasts.

8. Chat Lock

Long-press any chat → Lock. That chat moves to a separate locked folder accessible only by fingerprint or Face ID. Useful for keeping private conversations away from people who might see your phone screen.

9. Polls in Group Chats

In any group chat, tap the attachment icon → Poll. Set a question, add options, choose whether it’s single-vote or multi-vote. Perfect for deciding group plans without endless “I’m free Saturday/Sunday” back-and-forth.

10. Format Text in Messages

WhatsApp supports basic text formatting: *bold*, _italics_, ~~strikethrough~~, and `monospace`. Wrap your text in the relevant symbols before sending. Useful for emphasis in long messages or group announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does View Once work for voice messages?

No — View Once applies only to photos and videos. Voice messages can be played multiple times by the recipient.

Can I use WhatsApp on a PC without my phone?

Yes — with Multi-Device enabled. Download WhatsApp Desktop (whatsapp.com/download) or use web.whatsapp.com. Link it via QR code, and it works independently once linked — your phone doesn’t need to be on.

How do I know if someone has seen my View Once photo?

Once a View Once photo or video is opened, it shows “Opened” in the chat. If it’s not opened within 14 days, it expires automatically.

Conclusion

Swipe to Reply and multi-device support are the features with the most day-to-day impact. Chat Lock and View Once are the privacy features worth enabling if you share your phone screen with others. The full-emoji reaction picker is one of those small quality-of-life improvements that makes group chats much less noisy.

See also our guide on the best Android apps and how to send full-resolution photos in WhatsApp.

Send Full-Quality Photos in WhatsApp ↗ ↗Best Android Apps