35+ WhatsApp Hidden Features you should know in 2026

WhatsApp offers far more than simple messaging. In this complete guide, you’ll discover 35+ WhatsApp hidden features that help you improve privacy, organize chats, manage groups, control security settings, and boost productivity. Whether you use WhatsApp for personal conversations or business communication, understanding these advanced features can save time and enhance your overall messaging experience.

Privacy & security tips for WhatsApp

Your conversations contain sensitive information. Here's how to lock them down.

Chat lock and secret codes

WhatsApp's chat lock feature adds an extra layer of security to your most private conversations. When enabled, you'll need your fingerprint, face ID, or device passcode to open locked chats. Even better, you can set a secret code that's different from your phone's main password.

To enable chat lock, go to Settings > Privacy > Chat Lock. Select the conversations you want to protect, then create your secret code. Locked chats appear in a separate folder at the top of your chat list.

Read receipts and last seen control

Want to read messages without sending blue ticks? You have options. The straightforward approach is turning off read receipts entirely in Settings > Account > Privacy > Read Receipts. Just remember: this works both ways. You won't see when others read your messages either.

For more granular control, adjust your last seen settings to "My Contacts" or "Nobody." You can also view someone's status without them knowing by turning off read receipts before checking, then turning them back on afterward.

Disappearing messages

Some conversations shouldn't stick around forever. WhatsApp lets you set messages to auto-delete after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. Enable this for any chat by tapping the contact name > Disappearing Messages.

For truly sensitive content, use View Once. Photos and videos sent with this option can only be viewed once and can't be forwarded, saved, or screenshotted (on most devices). Long-press the send button and select the "1" icon to use it.

Two-step verification

Add a 6-digit PIN to your account for extra security. Even if someone gets your SIM card, they can't access your WhatsApp without this code. Set it up in Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification. Don't skip adding a recovery email, you'll need it if you forget your PIN.

Back up WhatsApp chats

Losing your messages due to a phone change, reset, or app issue can be frustrating. WhatsApp allows you to create automatic backups so your chats and media stay safe.

How to back up chats on Android

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup

3. Tap “Back Up”

4. Choose your Google account

5. Select backup frequency (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)

Your chats will be securely stored in Google Drive.

How to back up chats on iPhone

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup

3. Tap “Back Up Now”

4. Enable Auto Backup if needed

5. Choose daily, weekly, or monthly frequency

Backups are stored in iCloud.

Important tips

• Connect to Wi-Fi before backing up large media files

• Ensure your Google Drive or iCloud account has enough storage

• Enable end-to-end encrypted backups for additional security

• Regular backups prevent permanent data loss

If you’re switching to a new device, you can easily restore your chat history during setup by verifying your phone number and selecting “Restore Backup.”

Keeping backups enabled ensures your conversations remain safe even if your device is lost or replaced.

Profile privacy settings

Control who sees your personal information:

• Profile photo: Set to "My Contacts" to hide it from strangers

• About: Same options as profile photo

• Status: Choose between "My Contacts," "My Contacts Except," or "Only Share With"

• Live location: Automatically stops sharing after your chosen duration

Messaging mastery: WhatsApp tips for better communication

Text like a pro with these formatting and efficiency hacks.

Text formatting secrets

WhatsApp supports several formatting styles that most users never discover:

You can combine formats too. Try bold and italic for maximum emphasis. These work in both mobile and desktop versions.

Also Read : How to create bulleted lists and block quotes in WhatsApp message

What does the Double tick mean in WhatsApp?

When you send a message on WhatsApp, you’ll notice small checkmarks next to it. These ticks show the delivery and read status of your message. Understanding them helps you avoid confusion and communicate more clearly.

Here’s what each tick means:

• One gray tick – Your message was successfully sent from your device but has not yet been delivered to the recipient.

• Two gray ticks (Double Tick) – Your message has been delivered to the recipient’s device but has not been opened.

• Two blue ticks – The recipient has opened and read your message (if read receipts are enabled).

In group chats, things work slightly differently. The double gray tick appears only when all group members have received the message. Blue ticks appear once all participants have read it.

If you don’t see blue ticks, it could be because:

• The recipient turned off read receipts

• You were blocked

• The message was never opened

• There’s a connectivity issue

If privacy is important to you, you can disable read receipts in Settings > Privacy. Just remember, when you turn them off, you won’t see blue ticks for others either.

Understanding message indicators like the double tick helps you interpret conversations correctly without making assumptions.

Message management

Keep your important conversations organized:

• Pin chats: Long-press any chat and tap the pin icon. You can pin up to 3 conversations to the top of your list

• Star messages: Press and hold a message, then tap the star. Access all starred messages from the contact info screen

• Reply to specific messages: Swipe right on any message to quote it in your reply

• Delete for everyone: You have about 2 days to delete sent messages for all participants. Tap and hold, select Delete, then choose "Delete for Everyone"

How to Archive and Unarchive chats on WhatsApp

Archiving chats helps you declutter your chat list without deleting conversations. Unlike deleting, archiving keeps all messages safe and accessible whenever you need them.

How to archive a chat

On Android or iPhone:

1. Long-press the chat you want to archive

2. Tap the Archive icon

3. The chat will move to the Archived section

Archived chats won’t appear in your main chat list unless you receive a new message, depending on your archive settings.

How to unarchive a chat

1. Scroll to the bottom of your chat list

2. Tap “Archived”

3. Long-press the chat

4. Tap the Unarchive icon

The conversation will return to your main chat screen.

Why use archive instead of delete?

• Keeps your inbox clean

• Hides inactive conversations

• Maintains full message history

• Reduces distractions without losing data

Archiving is ideal for temporary conversations, completed tasks, or muted groups you don’t want cluttering your main screen.

How to mark a chat as unread on WhatsApp Web

Sometimes you open a message but want to come back to it later. Instead of relying on memory, you can mark a chat as unread to keep it highlighted in your chat list.

Marking a chat as unread does not change read receipts. It simply adds a visual reminder for you.

How to mark a chat as unread on Android

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Long-press the chat

3. Tap the three-dot menu

4. Select Mark as unread

How to mark a chat as unread on iPhone

1. Swipe right on the chat

2. Tap Unread

The chat will now show a green dot, reminding you to revisit it.

How to mark a chat as unread on WhatsApp Web

1. Right-click on the chat

2. Select Mark as unread

This works perfectly for task management, follow-ups, or important conversations that need attention later.

Using the unread feature helps you stay organized without muting or archiving the conversation.

How to add a WhatsApp chat shortcut on your phone

If you frequently message someone, you can add their chat directly to your phone’s home screen. This lets you open that conversation instantly without opening WhatsApp first.

It works like an app shortcut, but for a specific chat.

How to add a chat shortcut on Android

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Long-press the chat you want

3. Tap the three-dot menu

4. Select Add chat shortcut

The chat icon will appear on your home screen. Tapping it opens that conversation immediately.

How to add a chat shortcut on iPhone

iPhone does not offer direct chat shortcuts like Android. However, you can:

• Use Siri Shortcuts to create automation
• Pin important chats inside WhatsApp
• Use the Favorites feature for quicker access

Chat shortcuts are useful for:

• Important clients

• Family members

• Team coordination

• Daily follow-up conversations

This feature saves time and reduces friction when you need fast access to priority chats.

How to add chats to Favourites on WhatsApp

The Favourites feature lets you quickly access important conversations without scrolling through your entire chat list. It’s useful for priority contacts, active clients, or frequently used groups.

How to add a chat to favourites

On Android or iPhone:

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Long-press the chat

3. Tap Add to favourites

The chat will now appear inside your Favourites section for quick access.

You can remove it anytime by opening the chat settings and selecting Remove from favourites.

Using favourites helps you stay organized and access important conversations instantly without archiving or pinning them.

Broadcast lists

Need to send the same message to multiple people without creating a group? Use broadcast lists. Recipients receive the message individually and won't see who else got it.

Go to Chats > Broadcast Lists > New List. Select your contacts and compose your message. Just remember: recipients must have your number saved to receive broadcast messages.

For businesses needing to message hundreds or thousands of contacts, SheetWA offers advanced bulk messaging through Google Sheets and Excel integration, complete with personalization and media attachments.

Voice messages and calls

Voice messages got several upgrades recently:

• Speed control: Play voice messages at 1x, 1.5x, or 2x speed by tapping the 1x icon while listening

• Transcripts: WhatsApp can automatically transcribe voice messages in supported languages

• Pause and resume: Tap the red record button to pause, then tap again to continue

• Preview before sending: Listen to your voice message before sending it

For video calls, you can now share your screen and send HD video for clearer conversations.

Group management power tips

Groups can get chaotic. Here's how to maintain order.

Admin superpowers

Group admins have several tools to manage conversations:

• Send restrictions: Limit who can post to "Only Admins" for announcement-style groups

• Edit restrictions: Control who can change group info and icons

• Approval required: Review new members before they join

• Delete any message: Admins can remove inappropriate content from anyone

• Membership approval: Enable "Approve New Members" in group settings to screen join requests

Group organization

Make your groups more functional:

• Invite links: Create shareable links that you can revoke if they get into the wrong hands

• Mentions: Use @ followed by a name to notify specific members, even in muted groups

• Group descriptions: Add rules, guidelines, or important info that appears at the top

• Custom notifications: Set unique tones for different groups so you know which one buzzed without looking

Also Read :

Read More : How to Mute a chat on WhatsApp web

Managing large groups

For communities with thousands of members, WhatsApp introduced Communities. This feature lets you organize up to 50 groups under one umbrella with a central announcement channel.

Communities support up to 5,000 members total and include admin controls across all sub-groups. It's perfect for schools, neighborhoods, or organizations with multiple teams.

Media and file management

Handle photos, videos, and documents efficiently.

Photo and video features

• HD photos: Tap the HD icon before sending to reduce compression and maintain quality

• In-app editing: Crop, draw, add stickers, or write text on photos before sending

• Video messages: Tap and hold the camera icon to record instant 60-second video messages

• Albums: Send up to 100 photos at once; they'll appear as an organized album

Storage optimization

WhatsApp can consume significant storage. Manage it effectively:

• Storage usage: Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage shows which chats use the most space

• Clear specific chats: Delete media from individual conversations without touching others

• Auto-download settings: Choose what downloads on mobile data versus Wi-Fi

• Media visibility: Hide WhatsApp media from your phone's main gallery in Settings > Chats

Document sharing

WhatsApp supports files up to 2GB, making it viable for sharing large documents. Supported formats include PDF, DOC, PPTX, XLS, and many more. Recipients can preview documents before downloading.

For even larger files or cloud storage integration, share links from Google Drive or Dropbox directly in chats.

Status and channels

Master ephemeral content and broadcasts.

Status updates

WhatsApp Status lets you share photos, videos, and text that disappear after 24 hours. Access it from the Status tab:

• Privacy controls: Choose exactly who sees your status updates

• Viewers list: See who watched your status by tapping the eye icon

• Reactions: Viewers can react to your status with emoji

• Text statuses: Add colorful backgrounds to text-only updates

WhatsApp channels

Channels are one-way broadcast tools for following updates from businesses, creators, and organizations. Unlike groups, channel followers can't reply or see other followers.

Find channels in the Updates tab. You can follow unlimited channels, and your phone number remains private from both the channel admin and other followers. Channel history stores up to 30 days of updates.

Business and productivity features

For professionals and small businesses.

WhatsApp Business tools

The separate WhatsApp Business app (free) offers several advantages:

• Business profile: Add your address, hours, website, and description

• Catalogs: Showcase up to 500 products or services with images and prices

• Away messages: Auto-respond when you're unavailable

• Greeting messages: Welcome new customers automatically

• Labels: Organize chats by category (New Customer, Pending Payment, etc.)

Quick reference cheat sheet

Common WhatsApp Mistakes Users Make

Even experienced users overlook important settings and features that affect privacy, security, and daily productivity. Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve your WhatsApp experience.

Ignoring privacy settings

Many users never review their privacy settings after installation. Regularly check who can see your profile photo, last seen, status updates, and live location. Small adjustments can greatly improve personal security.

Not enabling two-step verification

Without two-step verification, your account is more vulnerable if someone gains access to your SIM card. Enabling a 6-digit PIN adds an essential extra layer of protection.

Using groups instead of broadcast lists for announcements

Groups are designed for conversations. If you're sending announcements or updates to multiple people privately, broadcast lists are usually a better option.

Letting storage grow unchecked

Media files can quickly consume device storage. Use the Manage Storage feature to review large files and clear unnecessary media regularly.

Leaving chats unlocked on shared devices

If you use WhatsApp Web or share your phone, always log out of linked devices and use chat lock for sensitive conversations.

Also Read : How Do You Know If Someone Blocked You on WhatsApp

Overlooking message formatting and organization tools

Features like pinned chats, starred messages, and text formatting make communication clearer and more efficient. Not using them leads to unnecessary clutter.

By reviewing these areas regularly, you ensure better privacy control, smoother communication, and a more organized messaging experience.

FAQs

What are the most useful hidden WhatsApp features I should know about?

The most valuable hidden features include chat lock with secret codes, message formatting (bold, italics, strikethrough), voice message speed control, broadcast lists for private mass messaging, and the ability to use WhatsApp as a personal notepad by messaging yourself.

How can I read WhatsApp messages without sending read receipts?

You have three options: disable read receipts entirely in Settings > Account > Privacy (though this prevents you from seeing others' receipts too), enable airplane mode before reading messages then close the app before reconnecting, or preview messages from your notification shade without opening the app.

What's the difference between WhatsApp broadcast lists and groups?

Broadcast lists send messages individually to multiple contacts privately. Recipients can't see who else received the message and replies come back to you individually. Groups create shared conversations where all members see each other's messages. Broadcasts are better for announcements; groups are better for discussions.

Can I use WhatsApp on multiple devices simultaneously?

Yes, WhatsApp supports up to 4 linked devices plus your phone. You can use WhatsApp Web, the desktop app, and additional phones (via companion mode) all at the same time without keeping your primary phone connected to the internet.

How do I send high-quality photos on WhatsApp without compression?

Before sending a photo, look for the HD icon in the top-right corner of the preview screen. Tapping it sends the image with less compression. For maximum quality, send photos as documents instead of images, this preserves the original file without any compression.

What's the best way for businesses to send bulk messages on WhatsApp?

For small-scale messaging, use WhatsApp Business app's broadcast lists (limited to 256 contacts). For larger-scale business messaging with personalization, tools like SheetWA integrate with spreadsheets to send customized messages to thousands of contacts while maintaining a personal touch.