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20 Hidden WhatsApp Features You Should Be Using

By Ammar Aslam · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read
20 Hidden WhatsApp Features You Should Be Using

WhatsApp is the app most of us use every day, yet many of its best features stay hidden. These tips make it more private, organised and fun.

Privacy features

  1. Chat lock: long-press a chat → Lock chat. It moves to a locked folder opened with your fingerprint.
  2. Disappearing messages: in chat info, set messages to vanish after 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days.
  3. View once: send photos or voice notes that can be opened only once.
  4. Hide online status: Settings → Privacy → Last seen and online.
  5. Silence unknown callers: Settings → Privacy → Calls.
  6. Two-step verification: see protecting WhatsApp.

Messaging tricks

  1. Edit messages: long-press a sent message → Edit, within a short time.
  2. Formatting: *bold*, _italic_, ~strikethrough~, `code`, and bullet lists with "- ".
  3. Reply privately to a group message: long-press → Reply privately.
  4. Message yourself: open a chat with your own number to save notes and links.
  5. Pin messages in chats and groups.
  6. Voice message transcripts (where available) to read voice notes silently.

Stay organised

  1. Pin chats: keep up to three important chats at the top.
  2. Chat lists and filters: use Unread, Groups, Favourites or custom lists.
  3. Archive chats you don't need to see.
  4. Starred messages: star important messages like addresses to find later.
  5. Search by type: search photos, links, documents and more.

More useful features

  1. Multiple devices: use WhatsApp on up to four linked devices. See WhatsApp Web and Desktop.
  2. Send HD photos by tapping the HD icon before sending.
  3. Manage storage: Settings → Storage and data → Manage storage. See freeing storage.
Stay safe: never share your WhatsApp verification code, and set group invites to "My contacts" to avoid scam groups.

Tips for managing busy groups

  • Mute noisy groups (always) and turn off their notifications, while still checking them when convenient.
  • Mentions: you'll still be notified when someone @mentions you in a muted group, depending on settings.
  • Admin controls: admins can restrict who can send messages, edit group info or add members.
  • Communities: organise related groups (for example, a school's class groups) under one Community with announcements.
  • Leave quietly: in many cases, WhatsApp only notifies admins when you leave a group.

WhatsApp Business for small sellers

If you sell products or services, the free WhatsApp Business app adds:

  • A business profile with address, hours and website.
  • A product catalogue customers can browse.
  • Quick replies for common questions.
  • Greeting and away messages.
  • Labels to organise customers and orders.

You can run WhatsApp Business alongside regular WhatsApp using different numbers.

Don't lose your chats

Turn on daily chat backup to Google Drive or iCloud, and consider end-to-end encrypted backup (Settings → Chats → Chat backup) for extra privacy; remember the password or key, since it can't be recovered. See moving WhatsApp to a new phone.

Frequently asked questions

Why don't I see a feature?

WhatsApp rolls features out gradually. Update the app from the store.

Can I use two WhatsApp accounts?

On Android, WhatsApp supports adding a second account in settings, depending on your version.

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Ammar Aslam
Ammar writes clear, practical tech guides that help everyday users fix problems, stay safe online and get more from their devices.

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