This week, WhatsApp focused on privacy and convenience: bringing back the ability to show photos from your address book, preparing Liquid Glass for Mac and iPad, testing Scam Alert to protect against scammers, allowing you to edit status captions, experimenting with a new Contacts tab, and adding a “single view” mode for text messages.
Table of Contents
Address book photo for contacts without an avatar
WhatsApp is bringing back a feature on Android that allows you to display a contact’s photo from their address book if they don’t have a WhatsApp avatar.
How it will work
When a contact doesn’t have a WhatsApp profile photo or it’s hidden by privacy settings, the app automatically displays the image saved in the user’s address book. The photo appears in the chat list, within conversations, and in the contact’s information. The image is only visible on the user’s device and doesn’t replace the actual avatar for other people.
Why it’s needed
This makes it easier to recognize contacts, especially in large groups or when many people haven’t set a profile photo. It eliminates empty, gray avatars and makes the interface more informative.
Status
This feature is currently available to some Android beta testers. It will gradually be available to more users.
Liquid Glass for iPad and Mac
WhatsApp is working on adapting the Liquid Glass design for iPad and Mac to unify the app’s appearance across all Apple devices.
How it will work
The interface on Mac and iPad will feature translucent elements, “glass” effects, and smooth animations similar to the iPhone. The Mac version will feature a redesigned sidebar with icons and text labels instead of just icons. The chat bar and attachment menu will be redesigned in a Liquid Glass style. A dedicated section for blocked chats with mandatory authentication, similar to the iPhone, will also be added.
Why it’s needed
This eliminates visual inconsistencies between WhatsApp versions on different Apple devices. It improves privacy on Mac with a separate section for hidden chats.
Status
This feature is in development for Mac and iPad. Release is expected in a future update.
Scam Alert – Protection from Fraudulent Messages
WhatsApp is developing a Scam Alert feature that will warn users about suspicious messages from unknown contacts.
How it will work
This feature works entirely on the device—messages are not sent to WhatsApp servers for analysis, preserving end-to-end encryption. When a suspicious message is detected in a chat, a “This may be a scam” warning appears with two options: block and report the contact, or trust the chat and continue communicating. This feature is disabled by default and can be enabled manually in the settings. A Scam Alert report will also be available, generated locally on the device.
Why it’s needed
This helps users recognize scam messages, especially from unknown senders. It provides an additional layer of security without compromising privacy.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. A release is expected in a future update.
Editing Status Captions
WhatsApp is working on the ability to edit captions for photos and videos in statuses after publishing.
How it will work
After publishing a status with a photo or video, the user will have 15 minutes to change the caption. Editing is available through the status context menu. The corrected signature is updated for everyone who has already viewed the status (provided they have the latest version of the app). After 15 minutes, editing is no longer possible.
Why it’s needed
This allows you to correct typos or inaccuracies (such as an incorrect date or location) without deleting and republishing the status, making the process more flexible.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. A release is expected in a future update.
New “Contacts” tab in the bottom navigation
WhatsApp is experimenting with adding a separate “Contacts” tab in the bottom navigation bar that will show who is currently online.
How it will work
The “Contacts” tab will display a list of users who are currently online, as well as recently active contacts. This tab will replace either the AI-powered tab (with the return of the floating AI button to “Chats”) or the “Updates” tab (if statuses and channels are fully migrated to “Chats”). People who have hidden their “online” or “last seen” status are not displayed in this section.
Why it’s needed
This makes it easier to find people who are available right now. It speeds up conversation initiation and makes communication more lively. It consolidates contacts in a single place.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. A release is not guaranteed; this is an experimental change.
Single-view for text messages
WhatsApp is developing the ability to send text messages in “single-view” mode, similar to photos and videos.
How it will work
The user types a text, then long-presses the “Send” button and selects “Send as single-view message” from the menu that appears. After sending, the recipient can open and read the message only once—after that, it disappears. Copying, forwarding, screenshotting, and screen recording are not available. If the message isn’t opened, it remains accessible, but after reading it, it is permanently deleted.
Why it’s needed
This ensures maximum privacy for sensitive text information (passwords, personal data, temporary instructions). It eliminates the need to send text as a caption for a single-view photo.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. A release is expected in a future update.
Conclusion
This week, WhatsApp is actively developing privacy and convenience: Scam Alert and single-view mode for text messages protect users from threats and give them control over their messages, editing statuses and photos from your address book simplifies everyday communication, and Liquid Glass for Mac and iPad and the new Contacts tab prepare the interface for future changes.
We at GREEN-API are keeping an eye on the news and will inform you about all the significant updates. We are also constantly working on introducing new features to our service to make your experience more convenient. Follow our blog to stay informed about new and useful features in WhatsApp!