Secret WhatsApp Features You Might Not Know About

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over two billion users. It continues to evolve, offering a wide range of features that enhance user experience and convenience. While we’re all familiar with its basic functionalities like text messaging, voice, and video calls, WhatsApp also has several hidden or lesser-known features that can significantly improve your experience.

Here are some secret WhatsApp features you might not know about:
 

1. Read Messages Without Letting the Sender Know (Offline Mode)

Sometimes you want to read a message without triggering the "seen" status (blue ticks). Here’s how you can do that:

• For iPhone: Turn off your cellular data or enable Airplane mode before opening WhatsApp. Once you’ve read the message, you can turn off Airplane mode or re-enable your data connection.
• For Android: You can use the "Pop-Up Notification" feature or open WhatsApp from the notification itself without opening the app.

This way, you can read messages without the sender knowing that you've seen them.

2. Use WhatsApp Web Without Connecting to Your Phone

Normally, WhatsApp Web requires your phone to stay online and connected. However, there’s a way to use WhatsApp Web without relying on your phone being online, thanks to the multi-device feature. This feature allows you to access WhatsApp on the web even if your phone is not connected to the internet.

To enable this:

• Make sure your WhatsApp is updated to the latest version.
• Go to Settings > Linked Devices > Multi-Device Beta and follow the prompts.
• Once activated, you can use WhatsApp Web without your phone needing to stay online.

3. Text Formatting

WhatsApp allows users to format their messages easily. You can make your text bold, italic, strikethrough, or even in monospace by using simple symbols:

• Bold: Use asterisks (*) at the beginning and end of the word or phrase. Example: *bold text*
• Italic: Use underscores (_) at the beginning and end of the word or phrase. Example: _italic text_
• Strikethrough: Use tildes (~) at the beginning and end of the word or phrase. Example: ~strikethrough text~
• Monospace: Use three backticks () at the beginning and end of the text. Example: monospace text ```

This formatting allows for easier reading and adds emphasis to certain words or phrases.

4. Read Deleted Messages

Sometimes, WhatsApp users delete messages after sending them. While WhatsApp doesn’t allow you to see deleted messages directly, you can use third-party apps to access the history of deleted messages, such as Notification History or WhatsApp Message Recovery.

However, keep in mind that using third-party apps can pose privacy and security risks, as they require certain permissions.

5. Send Disappearing (Self-Destructing) Messages

WhatsApp has a "View Once" feature that allows you to send images or videos that can only be viewed once by the recipient before disappearing automatically. This feature is useful if you want to send photos or videos without leaving any trace in the chat.

To use this feature:

• Tap the camera icon in the message input field.
• Choose the image or video you want to send.
• Before sending, tap the "1" icon on the left side of the send button to activate the "View Once" mode.

6. Mute Notifications from Specific Groups

If you’re part of multiple WhatsApp groups and find the notifications overwhelming, you can mute notifications for a specific group without leaving it. Here’s how:

• Open the group chat you want to mute.
• Tap the group name to open the group info.
• Select Mute Notifications and choose how long you want to mute them (8 hours, 1 week, or 1 year).
• After this, you won’t receive notifications from the group, even though messages continue to come in.

7. Use WhatsApp on Multiple Devices

One of WhatsApp’s newest features allows you to use your account on multiple devices without relying on your primary phone. This can be very handy for those who want to access WhatsApp on their laptop, tablet, or other devices simultaneously.

To enable this, you simply need to:

• Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
• Go to Settings > Linked Devices and select the option to add a new device.

Once enabled, you can link multiple devices to your WhatsApp account, and they will remain active even when your phone is offline.

8. Customize Notification Styles for Each Chat

WhatsApp allows you to customize the notification sound for individual chats, whether they are personal or group chats. You can change the ringtone, vibration settings, or even turn off notifications for specific conversations.

Here’s how:

• Open the chat you want to customize.
• Tap the contact name or group name at the top.
• Select Custom Notifications and adjust the settings according to your preferences.

9. WhatsApp for Business Features

If you use WhatsApp for business purposes, WhatsApp Business offers several additional features, including Automatic Reply Messages, which allows you to set up automated replies when you're unavailable, like after working hours.

Additionally, WhatsApp Business provides features such as product catalogs and message statistics, which are valuable tools for business owners.

10. Add WhatsApp Shortcuts to Home Screen

WhatsApp lets you add shortcuts to your home screen for quicker access to specific chats or groups. This can be useful for those who want to instantly open important conversations.

To add a shortcut:

• Open the chat or group you want to create a shortcut for.
• Long-press the WhatsApp icon on your home screen and select Add Shortcut.

Once added, you can tap the shortcut to open the chat directly without needing to launch the entire WhatsApp app.

With these hidden features, WhatsApp offers a much richer user experience that goes beyond basic messaging. Some of these features might not be immediately obvious, but once you discover them, you can make your WhatsApp experience more efficient, secure, and tailored to your needs. Give them a try and see how they can enhance your daily use of WhatsApp!