Better group chats and video calls in the new WhatsApp update

In a blog post, Meta has introduced new functions for chats, calls and channels for the WhatsApp messenger. Video calls and group chats in particular are gaining in functionality.

A display showing how many people are currently online in a group chat makes it possible to see at a glance how active the group currently is. Notifications often accumulate, especially in large group chats, and these can now be set more precisely. The new ″Highlights″ setting only notifies you of direct mentions, messages from contacts or replies to your own messages –. This can be a particular boon for large group chats. Messages can now be replied to more quickly with reactions to express approval or disapproval.

EU forces Apple

With the latest iOS update, WhatsApp can be set as the default app for messages and calls on iPhones after Apple enabled this function under pressure from the EU. Digitizing documents is also becoming easier. They can now be scanned and cropped directly from the app using iPhones.

The video call starts, but the person is far away from the camera? No problem, because in video calls you can now zoom in on the other person with a two-finger gesture. If a call needs to be extended spontaneously, another person can now be added to the call with a click in the text chat. Video calls should also run much more stable and with fewer interruptions thanks to a technical upgrade in the background. And if the bandwidth is not sufficient, the change to a lower resolution should run smoothly.

(acha)