Highlights
- WhatsApp is testing an online counter for group chats in its beta version.
- The feature will show the number of members currently online without displaying names.
- The typing indicator in group chats has been moved to the bottom of the screen.
- WhatsApp is also testing reminder notifications for unseen messages prioritising close contacts.
WhatsApp is testing a new feature for group chats that shows how many users are online at any given moment. According to trusted WhatsApp Beta source WABetaInfo, this online counter is rolling out to select testers using WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.25.30.
Here’s a quick roundup of the new features.
WhatsApp Online Counter for Group Chats
The new online counter appears at the top of group chats displaying the number of members currently online. This is a slight upgrade from the stable version, which shows the names of some active group members and a typing indicator.
WhatsApp news of the week: online counter feature available for group chats!
This weekly summary can help you catch up on our 8 stories about WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, and Desktop!https://t.co/ajOmg7BZ61 pic.twitter.com/IDhMCexP2T
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 8, 2024
The counter only reflects users who have WhatsApp open on their devices and not those actively engaging with the group. It does not display the names of online members. Moreover, users who have disabled their ‘Online’ status for privacy reasons will not be included in the count.
This feature could be useful for timing messages in group chats such as sharing updates or starting conversations when most members are online.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp has also updated the typing indicator in group chats moving it to the bottom of the screen and just above the message typing box for a new look.
Reminder Notifications for WhatsApp Chats
In a separate update WABetaInfo revealed details of another feature WhatsApp is currently testing for reminder notifications of unseen messages. This tool prioritises contacts users interact with most frequently and helps to ensure important messages don’t go unnoticed.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.25.29: what’s new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a reminder notification feature for chat messages, and it’s available to some beta testers!https://t.co/Ap4vjMlHQy pic.twitter.com/d2rPRVrSbM
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 7, 2024
These notifications are based on WhatsApp’s internal algorithm recalculated if the app is reinstalled. The reminders won’t overwhelm users with constant alerts and can be disabled in the notification settings.
The feature is being tested in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.25.29.
FAQs
Q1. How to restore deleted your chat history?
Answer. To restore your chats, you’ll need to first have back up of your WhatsApp chats. To restore from backup, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your device and user the “Restore Chat History” prompt while restoring to get back your deleted chats.
Q2. What is the new online user counter feature in WhatsApp group chats?
Answer. The new online counter appears at the top of group chats displaying the number of members currently online. It does not display the names of online members and only reflects users who have WhatsApp open on their devices. Users who have disabled their ‘Online’ status for privacy reasons will not be included in the count.
Q3. How has the typing indicator in WhatsApp group chats been updated?
Answer. The typing indicator in group chats has been moved to the bottom of the screen, just above the message typing box for a new look.
Q4. What are the new reminder notifications in WhatsApp?
Answer. Reminder notifications are for unseen messages, prioritising contacts users interact with most frequently to ensure important messages don’t go unnoticed. These notifications can be disabled in the notification settings and are currently being tested in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.25.29.
Q5. Which WhatsApp beta version includes the new online user counter feature?
Answer. The new online counter feature is rolling out to select testers using WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.25.30.
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