Are you looking for ways to make the most of WhatsApp on your Android or iPhone? We’ve got your back. For example, a new setting is currently being rolled out that would automatically delete your communications after a week. Sure, it’s a Snapchat-like function, but who says it can’t be found in other apps? You can even format the text you send in a message to add some flair to a conversation that would otherwise be dull.
Alternatively, you can use WhatsApp on your PC, which is possible. It’s also simple to set up and use. You’ll discover information on a variety of WhatsApp’s secret features and gimmicks in the sections below.
1. Add some zing to your messages by formatting the text.
Text can be bolded, italicized, or strikethrough on the fly in WhatsApp. You’ll need to put a few special characters before and after the text you wish to format in order to do so.
Use an asterisk (*bold*) to bold text; an underscore (_italics_) to italicize text; and tildes (strikethrough) to produce strikethrough text in WhatsApp.
2. Make your text messages vanish
WhatsApp is presently testing a new feature that lets you enable disappearing messages for particular conversations. When you enable it, all of your messages in a conversation will be deleted after seven days.
Disappearing Messages can be enabled by tapping on the name of the contact or chat at the top of your screen. Tap On after selecting Disappearing Messages from the list of alternatives.
Remember that any photographs you transmit or receive are automatically saved to your or the recipient’s phone, so while the message with the photo will be deleted, the image itself may be kept.
3. Star a message so it’s easy to find later
By starring a message, you may quickly return to a memorable message, phone number, location, or article link that a friend sent you. Press and hold the message for a long time, then tap the Star icon. When you navigate through your discussion, a small star icon will appear next to the message so you can readily identify it.
On an iPhone ($499 at Apple), click on the Settings tab and select Starred Texts to view your starred messages. Tap the Menu button on an Android device, then Starred Messages.
4. Go through your storage and see who you speak with the most.
Do you want to know who your WhatsApp BFF is? It’s simple to figure out.
Go to Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage on your iPhone or Android phone. A list of contacts will appear, sorted by who is using up the most space on your phone. More specific statistics, such as the number of messages sent, photos, and GIFs, can be found by tapping on each contact.
WhatsApp’s new storage section makes it easier to delete large items that are using up space on your phone, as well as allowing you to see who you speak with the most.
5. View message details
Have you ever wondered when a message was read or delivered? To check such stats on your iPhone, swipe to the left on a message you sent. Long-press on a message on an Android device, then tap the menu button, then Info.
6. Mute a conversation
Use WhatsApp’s mute option to stop a chatty group conversation or a friend who doesn’t get the signal that you’re busy before going to a movie or meeting.
Long-press on a chat on an Android device, then tap the crossed-out speaker symbol at the top of the screen. Swipe to the left across a discussion on an iPhone, then hit the three-dot button, then Mute.
You have the option of muting for 8 hours, one day, or always.
7. Hide your last seen status
Knowing that people can see when you were last online can be stressful at times, and it makes you feel obligated to respond to outstanding messages.
Don’t want your “Last Seen” time to be known by your friends or casual contacts? Select Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen from the drop-down menu.
Then choose between Everyone, My Contacts, and Nobody.
8. Turn off read receipts
You may even disable read receipts in WhatsApp if you want to take it a step further. This will hide the fact that you have read a message from other users.
Uncheck the box or slide the switch next to Read Receipts to the Off position in Settings > Account > Privacy.
Note: If you disable this function, you will not be able to see when a friend has seen your message.
9. Use WhatsApp on a computer
When you’re juggling multiple discussions or having a long conversation with an old buddy, sitting down at your computer and using a complete keyboard and mouse is a much better experience. And you can do it with very little effort owing to WhatsApp’s browser version, PC, or Mac apps.
We’ll walk you through the entire procedure, which should take no more than 3 minutes.
