WhatsApp keeps working on different features to improve the chatting experience and clean up the inbox.
Two more have been added: the ability to preview pinned messages and clearing unread message counts with a single tap.
The Meta-owned messaging giant is testing the ability to preview pinned messages and an option to clear unread message counts with a single tap.
Let’s start with the pinned message preview.
This nifty addition, discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android — version 2.24.11.12 — introduces a thumbnail preview for any media messages that have been pinned (photos, videos, or documents).
Instead, they will have a view of a thumbnail preview immediately at the top of their chat instead of needing to open each pinned message.
This is a basic yet very convenient improvement.
Pinned messages are meant to keep vital information at hand.
These previews mean that you will be in a position to identify the pinned material at a glance without having to revisit or scroll through the thread.
Pinned previews allow for smooth revisits, whether it is a shared document or a treasured snapshot.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.11.13: what’s new?
WhatsApp is working on a feature to clear the unread message count, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/HOiNedHle0 pic.twitter.com/VYhbGZzqTF
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 20, 2024
But WhatsApp usability improvements do not just stop here.
Another beta update, version 2.24.11.13, showed advancement in the “Clear unread when app opens” setting.
Once this option is selected, your unread message alerts will automatically reset each time you open the application.
This might be a game-changer for anybody overwhelmed with unread messages, especially in packed group chats.
Instead of being burdened by an overwhelming unread count, users can now begin each WhatsApp session with a clean slate, free to prioritize chats as they see fit without residual psychological pressure.
Of course, both of these are still under beta testing right now.
Still, considering obvious user-friendly benefits, their eventual inclusion in the stable WhatsApp code seems like an inevitable outcome.
WhatsApp is not done helping make messaging interfaces even simpler, with pinned previews that condense critical information and unread resets that go a long way in lessening inbox anxiety.
The new pinned message preview feature allows users to see thumbnail previews of pinned media messages like photos, videos, or documents at the top of their chat without opening the message.
The one-tap unread message clearing option automatically resets unread message alerts each time you open WhatsApp, allowing users to start each session with a clean slate.
Currently, these features are in beta testing and available only to users on beta versions 2.24.11.12 and 2.24.11.13 of WhatsApp for Android. They may be rolled out to all users after testing.
To access the WhatsApp beta version, you need to join the beta program through the Google Play Store. Once enrolled, you’ll receive beta updates automatically.
The pinned message preview feature helps users quickly identify pinned media messages without scrolling through the chat, making it easier to access important information.
The filters that will appear at the top of users’ chat list: All, Unread, Groups, which can be selected with just a tap:
All: The default view of all your conversations.
Unread: This filter enables users to access conversations that remain unread. It displays messages that you have either marked as unread or have not yet opened, allowing you to prioritise your responses.
Groups: This filter organises all group chats in one place, making it easier to find your favourites. It will also display subgroups within Communities.
Apart from this, the update changelog also mentions that WhatsApp is introducing audio support to screen sharing during video calls, along with a revamped interface featuring updated icons and illustrations.
According to WABetaInfo, a reliable source for WhatsApp news, the messaging app is developing a feature that will automatically clear the unread message count each time the app is opened.
As of now the unread message count can serve as a constant reminder of conversations that haven’t been viewed or read yet, causing a bit of that social media anxiety.
However, by automatically resetting the counter, WhatsApp can now provide its users with a fresh start every time they open the app, allowing them to focus on new and important messages.
This feature is particularly beneficial for users who receive a high volume of messages, especially from active group chats.
Group chats can often result in a significant number of unread messages, many of which may not be immediately relevant.
By resetting the unread message count automatically, users can prioritise new messages and manage their conversations more efficiently.
This approach helps prevent older, less important messages from overshadowing new notifications, ensuring users can address the most recent conversations.
A screenshot shared by the publication shows that beta testers can now explore a preview feature when pinning a media message.
This feature allows users to view a thumbnail of the media content directly within the pinned message preview.
Whether it’s a photo, video, or other media file, users can quickly identify the content without needing to select the pinned message.
To test if this feature is already available for their account, users can pin any media message and locate the thumbnail display in the pinned message preview area.
By adding the thumbnail for the pinned messages directly to the top of the screen, users can easily preview the content without navigating to the pinned message.
This enhancement can significantly save users time and effort, improving navigation within the conversation.
Previously, users needed to manually select the pinned message to see its content.
With this update, users will no longer have to navigate away from the current view to access the content of a pinned message, as the thumbnail provides an immediate view of the content directly from the main screen.
This preview feature for pinned messages is currently available to some beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store.
The feature is expected to roll out to even more users over the coming days, according to WA Beta Info
Also Read: WhatsApp Tests New Feature for Previewing Documents Before Opening
Also Read: WhatsApp Enhances User Experience with New Chat Filters
Also Read: WhatsApp Web Beta Users Getting New Sidebar Layout and Smart Features
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