WhatsApp users alert! 5 ways in which the instant messaging platform is about to change

We are into the second half of the year and WhatsApp users are up for a roller coaster ride. The Facebook-owned instant messaging platform is working on a number of new features that will change the way you use the app. In the first half of the year, WhatsApp introduced Touch ID/Face ID for iOS users and a shortcut for group voice or video calls with a single tap. The platform is now testing a number of other features that will soon be made available for public use. As of now, most of these features are available in the beta version of the app. Here are 5 ways in which your WhatsApp experience may change -  

1. Privacy Settings for Groups: The feature is being tested for a long time now and allows users to be added in a Group only with consent. Under this feature, the users will get an invite everytime they are added to a group with an option to either approve or decline within three days. To enable it, go to Settings in your app, then tap Account > Privacy > Groups and select one of three options: "Nobody", "My Contacts", or "Everyone".

2. Dark Mode: This is one of the most sought after features, almost every developer is working on. The feature would turn the background of the app to black which would help users save battery. The feature would be highly effective on AMOLED displays. The feature is still in the testing phase.

3. New Web and Desktop Features: Overwhelmed by the success of WhatsApp Business app, the platform has decided to add certain features of the app to desktop and web version. These features are Quick Replies, which are frequent messages to answer common questions, labels to organise contacts and chats and chat list filtering which enables the user to manage chats under various filters like unread messages, broadcast lists and groups.

4. Frequently Forwarded: As part of its efforts to curb the spread of misinformation, WhatsApp will soon allow users to see how many times a message has been forwarded. The information will be available for sent messages. Messages that have been sent more than four times will be labelled as ‘Frequently Forwarded’. As of now, WhatsApp has limited the forwards to just five in India.

5. Share status on other platforms: Soon, you will be able to share your WhatsApp status on other platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Facebook already offers a similar feature between Instagram and Facebook app where you can share stories on both the platforms at once.