New Delhi: 2021 was a busy year with some major updates and features in WhatsApp as well as criticism and feedback from users and even governments. But WhatsApp happens to be the most popular messaging app worldwide with more than 2.5 billion active users.
In 2021, WhatsApp introduced some new features such as voice and video calling on desktop, chat transfers from iOS to Android, disappearing photos and videos, sticker maker tool and many more. It also tests the service regularly and some of which can be used by WhatsApp beta users. Any new update or feature on WhatsApp is always in the news and as far as the new features are concerned, the app is expected to be in the news even in 2022.
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Message Reactions
Message reaction will be a big update for WhatsApp, even though this feature is already available on the social media app. WhatsApp has been undertaking tests for reactions on messages in chat. This feature will let you react with emoji and currently, six emoji reactions have been confirmed. You will also be able to see which emoji reacted to your message.
Communities
'Community' on WhatsApp is another big feature which will be launched soon. This feature will allow users to connect different WhatsApp groups together in one community. According to the report, WhatsApp will allow you to add 10 groups together in a community. There will be an 'Announce' section which will be only for the admins through which a message can be sent which will be received by all groups of the community. The community will also have a square icon with round edges, which is opposite to the group chat icon which is round.
Android To iOS Chat Transfer
WhatsApp launched a feature this year - chat transfer between iOS and Android. You can transfer your chat history from your iPhone to Android device. Although this is remarkable, there's no device to transfer WhatsApp chats from your Android phone to the iPhone. But WhatsApp is currently working on this feature and it is expected to roll out soon.
Sticker Store
Stickers on WhatsApp are large but this feature is not easily available on desktops and web apps. But WhatsApp has added the Sticker Store to the beta version of its desktop app. Previously, you could not access the StickerStore, which has the original WhatsApp sticker packs. It is available on the Beta app for now, but it is soon expected that Whatsapp will make it widely available. WhatsApp also launched its sticker maker tool for desktop and web apps.
More Control For Admins
WhatsApp group chat gives more control to Group Chat admin and is planning to expand it. Soon Group chat admins on WhatsApp will be able to delete any messages sent by members. If a message has been deleted by the group admin, it will be communicated to everyone in the group. This will be different from the disappearing message because group admins will be able to use it when they want.
Businesses Nearby
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will make it easier for users to search for business on the app. In the search tool, by the name of Businesses Nearby, there will be a new section and you will get to see many filters like restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, and much more. These are like filters for image, video, gif on WhatsApp.