WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to send a welcome message in group chats. This feature enables group administrators to send automatic messages to new members.
Group administrators can also edit the message, which is visible only to new members.
Table of Contents
What is it?
WhatsApp is currently developing a welcome message feature for new members in group chats on iOS. In a previous article, we wrote about a similar feature in the works for Android, which allows administrators to record a short welcome message for new members.
The messaging app plans to add this option to the group settings screen, where administrators already manage other features. This setting will be optional and disabled by default. Therefore, administrators will need to enable it themselves.
Now WhatsApp is rolling it out for iOS as well. The version for Apple’s operating system appears to have the same structure; the welcome message is available on the group access permissions settings screen. For now, the new feature is in beta testing, and it’s unclear when it will be released.
Why it’s needed
A welcome message isn’t just one-way. New members who receive it can reply directly. This turns the welcome message into a dialogue rather than a static notification that new members might ignore. A welcome message that encourages a response is more likely to prompt new members to introduce themselves and start interacting with the group.
How it works
When someone joins a group where this message is set up, WhatsApp automatically sends it. The notification appears as a bubble labeled “Automatic Welcome.” This makes it clear to the new member that no one typed this text manually at that moment.
Note: This message is visible only to new members; everyone else cannot see it.
This way, you can make the greeting more personal without cluttering the main chat for other people.
How to set it up
Administrators can find the welcome message option on the group access permissions settings screen. There is an option labeled “Welcome Message.” By enabling it, administrators can write or edit the message text. WhatsApp provides a default message, but administrators can replace it with any text suitable for the group. This option is disabled by default. This means that existing groups won’t send a welcome message to new members until an administrator manually enables this feature.
What else
If a group has multiple administrators, there is still only one welcome message. All administrators use the same welcome text, and any of them can edit it. As a result, the welcome message for new members remains consistent, regardless of which administrator originally set it up. No matter who joins the group or when, all members will receive the same welcome message.
When it will be available
The welcome message feature for group chats is currently in development for iOS. WhatsApp has not yet included it in beta testing. Presumably, WhatsApp will make it available to beta testers in a future update. At this time, the messaging app has not announced an exact release date for the public version.
Conclusion
WhatsApp continues to improve the experience for group chat members on iOS. The new feature will enhance communication among participants, making it more useful and convenient.
Here at GREEN-API, we keep track of the latest news and will keep you informed about all significant updates. We’re also constantly working on integrating new features into our service to make your work more convenient. Follow our blog to stay up to date on new and useful features in WhatsApp!