WhatsApp is kicking off the year with new features for group chats. The messaging app has announced three new features designed to make group communication more structured and user-friendly. These include clearly defined roles, new ways to format messages, and reminders for shared events.
Group chats are a core feature of WhatsApp. Whether it's family, friends, or clubs, many conversations run simultaneously and often contain important information. Apple recently introduced new features for group chats in the Messages app with iOS 26. WhatsApp is now following suit, presenting its own innovations specifically designed for group chats, which are being rolled out gradually.
Overview of the new WhatsApp features for group chats
WhatsApp is introducing three new features, which are available immediately. These include:
- Member tags
- Text stickers
- Memories of events
All three features were officially described in the WhatsApp blog and are aimed exclusively at group chats.
Member tags bring more clarity to groups
The new member tags make roles within a group chat visible. Each person can assign themselves a tag that describes their role in the respective group. These tags are group-specific and can be chosen differently for each group.
This makes it possible to appear as "Mark's father" in one group and as "goalkeeper" in another. The purpose of this feature is to identify connections more quickly, especially in larger groups or in chats with participants who don't know each other personally.
Text stickers make messages more eye-catching
The second new feature concerns stickers. WhatsApp now allows users to convert any word or short text directly into a sticker. Simply enter the desired text into the sticker search.
Another new feature is that custom text stickers can be added directly to your sticker packs. Sending them in the chat beforehand is no longer necessary. This allows you to highlight specific statements or terms and reuse them later.
Event reminders for group appointments
The third feature expands WhatsApp's event functionality in group chats. When an event is created and shared in the chat, individual reminders can be set for the invited participants.
These reminders can be customized depending on the type of event. For example, you can receive a timely reminder about a planned party or a group call that is scheduled to start at a specific time. The goal is to ensure that appointments no longer get lost in the chat history.
Unclear versions and phased introduction
It is currently unclear which exact version of the WhatsApp iOS app is required for the new features. Although member tags have only just been officially announced, they already appeared in the app's release notes a few weeks ago.
This approach is not unusual for WhatsApp. New features are often announced at different times and not activated for all users simultaneously. Therefore, it can happen that individual features only become available gradually.
WhatsApp is focusing on more structured group chats
With these three new features, WhatsApp expands its group chats with useful tools for better overview and organization. Member tags ensure clear roles, text stickers make messages more eye-catching, and event reminders help ensure appointments aren't forgotten.
These updates demonstrate that WhatsApp continues to focus on the further development of group chats, addressing practical, everyday problems. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / BongkarnGraphic)
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