WhatsApp 2024 New Tips & Tricks - You Must Know!

Usually, if we want to save a WhatsApp message, we forward it to another account or use a workaround. However, with the new WhatsApp feature that allows you to message yourself, you can conveniently preserve information you wish to revisit later in your own chat. This feature is also useful for sharing private messages and files from the WhatsApp desktop app with your PC.

To message yourself on WhatsApp (Android):

• Click the New Chat icon at the bottom-right corner of the WhatsApp Chats tab.
• Search for your name on the list; it will most likely be toward the top. So, click on the chat and begin texting yourself.

To message yourself on WhatsApp (iOS):

• Tap the New Chat icon in the upper-right corner of the WhatsApp Chats tab.
• Look for your name on the list; it will most likely be at the top. So, click the chat button and start texting yourself.

4. Create a chat shortcut

WhatsApp now allows you to create shortcuts to your preferred chats, effectively turning them into sub-apps on your phone's home screen. This feature ensures quick access to your favorite chats right from the home screen, which is very useful for those who just want to stay connected with a few chats on WhatsApp.

To create a chat shortcut on WhatsApp (Android):

• Tap and hold the chat you want to make a shortcut for, then select the three-dot menu at the top right corner of the page.
• From the drop-down box that appears, select Add chat shortcut, and then click Okay to add the chat to your phone's home screen.

Currently, WhatsApp for iOS does not have the feature to create chat shortcuts.

Related: Safeguard Your WhatsApp Account With These New Features

5. High quality media

Although WhatsApp is notorious for compressing media files, users have long resorted to sending them as documents via the attachment icon to maintain their fidelity. Finally, WhatsApp now allows users to choose between high-quality photos and data-saving mode when receiving images.

Here’s how you can use this feature:

• On WhatsApp for Android, tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and select Settings. On your iPhone, select Settings in the bottom-right corner.
• Tap the Storage and Data option.
• Under Media Upload Quality, select Photo Upload Quality and your preferred option.
• Click OK to save your changes.

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​6. Delete messages for everyone or just yourself

If you find yourself wanting to remove a mistakenly sent message or declutter a lengthy chat history, you have the option to delete all texts or media exchanged with a specific contact on your list. There are two ways to go about it: deleting messages for everyone involved in the chat or just for yourself. If you choose the former, the message must be deleted within an hour of sending it.

Here's how to proceed:

• Select the message you want to delete.
• Click on Options, then Delete, and Delete for everyone.

If you want to delete your own chat records on your phone, you can do so at any time without affecting the recipient’s chat history.

• To delete a specific message, open the chat containing that message and select it.
• Click on Options, then Delete, and then Delete for me.

If you prefer to delete an entire conversation instead, select the contact’s name from your recent chat list and click the trash icon on the action bar. This will delete the entire conversation from your phone.

7. Save your data allowance

WhatsApp has several ways for you to monitor how it uses your data. To find out how much data you've used thus far, go to Settings > Storage and Data > Network Usage.

Fortunately, you can set things up so that media only downloads when you are connected to Wi-Fi.

iOS & Android:

• Go to Settings.
• Select Storage and Data.
• Under Media Auto-Download, set each option to Wi-Fi.​

8. Set up a community

When your group chats become overwhelming to keep track of, consider forming a community. This feature allows you to arrange various group conversations within a single overall framework, giving you the option to participate only in the chats that are relevant to your interests. It proves especially beneficial for larger groups where managing a single group chat becomes cumbersome.

Here's how you can set it up:

iOS & Android:

• Open WhatsApp and select the Communities tab.
• Tap New Community.
• Tap Get Started and follow the steps to create your new community.

​Related: Stop WhatsApp from Eating Up Your Phone's Memory

9. Change your privacy settings

WhatsApp's default configurations allow anyone to view your last online status, about information, profile picture, and determine if read receipts have been enabled as soon as the application has been installed. Your status updates are visible exclusively to your contacts, but anyone can add you to groups.

To change these privacy settings, follow these steps:

For Android users:

• Click on Settings, then tap on Account.
• Next, click on Privacy.
• Then click on Last Seen.
• Click the Nobody option to hide your Last Seen status from everyone.

For iPhone users:

• Click on Account and then Privacy.
• Click on the Last Seen option and select it to Nobody.