The WhatsApp messaging app is testing a group message history feature that will allow group administrators or members to quickly share selected previous messages with newly joining individuals. The new feature aims to reduce the feeling of exclusion and make it easier to catch up with the conversation flow. The feature has appeared in the beta version for iOS users.
Beta version tests
The new feature was detected by users in the test version WhatsApp beta 26.7.10.72 for devices with the iOS system.
Easier integration of new members
Group administrators and participants will be able to send selected, older messages to people who joined later.
Response to user expectations
The introduction of message history was one of the most frequently requested new features by the community.
Another of many innovations
The company regularly updates the app, and the new feature fits into the ongoing trend of expanding group communication capabilities.
Meta, the owner of the WhatsApp app, is testing a new functionality for group communication. It concerns group message history, which is intended to help new members catch up with the conversation context. The tool will allow administrators or existing participants to select and send key messages to people who joined the chat at a later time. The feature was observed in the latest test version of the software, labeled as WhatsApp beta 26.7.10.72, aimed at iOS users. This is another step in the long development process of the app, which in recent years has brought many changes, such as comprehensive encryption for backups, the ability to edit sent messages, or using one account on multiple devices. WhatsApp was launched in 2009 and initially offered only the ability to send statuses. A breakthrough was the introduction in 2014 of end-to-end encryption for all conversations, which became its hallmark in terms of privacy. The novelty has been met with positive reception from some users following the announcements, who have been signaling the need for such a solution for years. The inability to familiarize oneself with the earlier part of the conversation was a significant barrier for people joining active, multi-person chats, for example in work groups, local communities, or family groups. Therefore, the introduction of this option aims not only to improve user comfort but also to increase communication efficiency within a team. Meta has not yet announced an official release date for the feature for all users on iOS and Android platforms. The implementation schedule usually depends on the results of beta tests and any necessary fixes.