WhatsApp is the most used instant messenger in India, and many parts
of the world. There are many things we would like to see on WhatsApp,
but the fact is that the Facebook-owned company has been making a lot
of steady improvements. Today, you can do things like make a video
call, or add a GIF, and a whole lot more. Here are some of the not-so-obvious
WhatsApp features that you may not be aware of, but will find useful.
of the world. There are many things we would like to see on WhatsApp,
but the fact is that the Facebook-owned company has been making a lot
of steady improvements. Today, you can do things like make a video
call, or add a GIF, and a whole lot more. Here are some of the not-so-obvious
WhatsApp features that you may not be aware of, but will find useful.
1) Two-factor authentication
Recently, WhatsApp rolled out two-factor authentication for its chat service.
If you recall, there’s no username and password you need to use WhatsApp
- you just need to type your phone number and verify it via an OTP SMS.
If someone steals your phone, even if the phone is locked down, they could
take out your SIM card and put it in a different phone. With just that much
effort, they would have access to your WhatsApp account, as it would just
require an SMS to verify the new phone. By enabling two-factor authentication
, you can protect yourself from such fraudulent behaviour, as it will ask you
to set a six digit passcode, which WhatsApp will ask every time you try
to re-verify your account. And in case you forget your passcode, there’s a
way to reset it via email too.
If you recall, there’s no username and password you need to use WhatsApp
- you just need to type your phone number and verify it via an OTP SMS.
If someone steals your phone, even if the phone is locked down, they could
take out your SIM card and put it in a different phone. With just that much
effort, they would have access to your WhatsApp account, as it would just
require an SMS to verify the new phone. By enabling two-factor authentication
, you can protect yourself from such fraudulent behaviour, as it will ask you
to set a six digit passcode, which WhatsApp will ask every time you try
to re-verify your account. And in case you forget your passcode, there’s a
way to reset it via email too.
2) Reply to a specific message in a group chat
This might have happened to you - while conversing, you reply a little
later, and it leaves the other side wondering about the context. In WhatsApp
conversations, press and hold on a particular line of text, and hit the backward
arrow button that appears on top on Android (or tap ‘reply’ on an iPhone).
This lets you quote the particular message in a conversation, which you can
comment on. Also, tapping on a quoted WhatsApp reply scrolls the
conversation to the position of the original message.
later, and it leaves the other side wondering about the context. In WhatsApp
conversations, press and hold on a particular line of text, and hit the backward
arrow button that appears on top on Android (or tap ‘reply’ on an iPhone).
This lets you quote the particular message in a conversation, which you can
comment on. Also, tapping on a quoted WhatsApp reply scrolls the
conversation to the position of the original message.
3) Find out who’s read your message in a group chat
In a one-on-one conversation, it is easy to figure out whether the
recipient has read your WhatsApp message, thanks to the blue coloured
double tick symbol. But in a WhatsApp group conversation, it’s not as obvious
to tell who exactly from the group has read your message. There’s actually
an easy way to find this out - press and hold the message and hit the ‘i’ button
on the top on Android (‘info’ on an iPhone). Here, you’ll get to see how many
people from the WhatsApp group have read this particular message. In iOS,
you can also just hold and drag the message to the left to go to that menu.
recipient has read your WhatsApp message, thanks to the blue coloured
double tick symbol. But in a WhatsApp group conversation, it’s not as obvious
to tell who exactly from the group has read your message. There’s actually
an easy way to find this out - press and hold the message and hit the ‘i’ button
on the top on Android (‘info’ on an iPhone). Here, you’ll get to see how many
people from the WhatsApp group have read this particular message. In iOS,
you can also just hold and drag the message to the left to go to that menu.
4) Listen to voice messages discreetly
Some people prefer sending WhatsApp voice messages instead of typing text.
A common problem with this is that hitting the ‘play’ button makes the
voice message play on the speakerphone by default. This may be a problem
when you’re in the vicinity of others and would prefer if they didn’t hear it.
A common problem with this is that hitting the ‘play’ button makes the
voice message play on the speakerphone by default. This may be a problem
when you’re in the vicinity of others and would prefer if they didn’t hear it.
The solution is simple - just hit the ‘Play’ button and put the phone to your ear
- it will automatically switch from speakerphone to the earpiece and play the
WhatsApp voice message back there.
- it will automatically switch from speakerphone to the earpiece and play the
WhatsApp voice message back there.
5) Manipulate text for better emphasis
There’s certain syntax that you can apply to manipulate text for better emphasis
on WhatsApp. For example, applying an asterisk before and after words
(e.g *like so*) makes them appear in bold in the WhatsApp conversation.
Similarly, adding underscores (e.g _like this_) makes text appear italicised,
and words enclosed inside two tilde symbols (~) strikes them off.
on WhatsApp. For example, applying an asterisk before and after words
(e.g *like so*) makes them appear in bold in the WhatsApp conversation.
Similarly, adding underscores (e.g _like this_) makes text appear italicised,
and words enclosed inside two tilde symbols (~) strikes them off.
6) Message a user in a group to get their attention
Last but not the least, adding an @name in a WhatsApp group conversation
lets you alert other users that they’ve been mentioned inside a group,
similar to @mentions on Twitter.
lets you alert other users that they’ve been mentioned inside a group,
similar to @mentions on Twitter.
So there you have it. Here’s hoping you discovered a useful WhatsApp
feature or two that will make your usage better. Have any tricks of your
own to share? Let the world know via the comments below.
feature or two that will make your usage better. Have any tricks of your
own to share? Let the world know via the comments below.
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