Key Highlights
- The new update for WhatsApp is being made available to both iOS and Android beta testers
- Users will find it simpler to identify messages from groups of unidentified contacts after the upgrade
- Moreover, WhatsApp is piloting an admin-only approval option
For group members, WhatsApp is currently rolling out an update that swaps out phone numbers for usernames in the chat list. Users will now see push names rather than phone numbers if they get a message from an unknown contact in a WhatsApp group with the new update.
In the message bubble of group chats, WhatsApp started rolling out a new feature in December of last year that switched out phone numbers for push names. Users were better able to identify messages from unknown contacts in the group chat window thanks to the enhancement. Currently, WAbetainfp reports that WhatsApp is extending this capability to its chat list as well, allowing users to see who sent them messages in a group conversation.
The new upgrade is not that huge but will make it easier for recipients to determine who the unknown contact is without preserving the number in their contact list. Even in separate app sections, like the list of group members, the feature may also substitute a username for a phone number. Users will find it simpler to identify the sender in the group thanks to this change, especially in large groups where it is not feasible to keep the contacts of every single group member.
Importantly, the change will only display the usernames of group members in the chat list preview of messages, not for any private chats with unsaved contacts.
Also Read: WhatsApp New Update To Bring Temporary Group Feature With Expiry Date: Read Details Here
Other Upcoming WhatsApp Features
With the most recent versions of WhatsApp (2.23.5.12 for Android users) and WhatsApp (23.5.0.73 for iOS users), the new upgrade for chat lists is currently being sent out for both platforms. Following the testing, the feature will be accessible to all users in upcoming app upgrades.
In the interim, WhatsApp has also begun testing a different new group feature that will give group admins additional power. A new approval tool for group chat admins has been added to WhatsApp, and it is currently accessible with the WhatsApp Beta version for Android and iOS. The group administrators will be able to regulate who can join the group using the group invite link thanks to this new functionality.
When activated from the settings, a chat prompt noting that the new participant is requesting admin approval to join the group will be displayed to all members each time someone attempts to join the group through the chat link. Administrators will be able to administer the group more effectively and impose restrictions on who can join.
Also Read: WhatsApp Account Hijacking: What Is It? How To Stay Safe?
