WhatsApp is rolling out improved polls, @all mentions, and a faster way to create new groups from existing ones. These features address various issues in group chats, making them easier to manage. WhatsApp confirmed this update in a new blog post today.
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For context
Throughout 2026, WhatsApp added numerous new features to group chats. This year, the messenger launched group message history, allowing new members to access their message archive when adding them. Using tags, users can easily identify specific members in large groups.
WhatsApp also introduced event reminders, preventing group members from missing events. With these updates, WhatsApp has transformed group chats into a more comprehensive tool, helping people connect with each other.
What’s new?
WhatsApp continues to work on improving the group chat experience. Specifically, the messenger is introducing new features to help users make decisions faster in their groups. WhatsApp recently published a new blog post announcing three important features for group chats. The update includes polls, a new @all mention feature and a new option to quickly create a new group from an existing one.
Three new features for group polls
WhatsApp is adding three new options for polls in group chats. Users can now set a poll end time. This means they can decide when participants can no longer vote, and the poll creator can hide the names of participants. When this feature is enabled, participants can anonymously share their preferences. Others cannot see who voted for what, not even the poll creator.
Furthermore, the poll creator can edit the poll within 15 minutes of sending it. This is useful if you need to correct typos or clarify the wording before everyone else votes. These three improvements significantly increase the usefulness of polls in group chats.
Notify group members with a single word
WhatsApp is introducing the @all mention feature. This feature allows users to send notifications to every group member simultaneously if they want to share an important message and ensure no one misses it. WhatsApp notifies all members, regardless of whether they’ve muted group notifications. To prevent abuse of this feature, WhatsApp limits access to @all to admins in groups with more than 32 members. In smaller groups, any member can send these notifications.
However, not everyone wants to be distracted by mentions, even if they’re important messages. As an alternative, WhatsApp has considered turning off @all notifications without muting other notifications. Users can find this option on the group info screen, directly in the notification settings. Enabling this option does not mute other notifications, such as replies.
«Wow, all these familiar faces!»
WhatsApp also makes it easier to create a new group from members of an existing group. Before this update, users had to create a new group and then add members one by one. Now, this feature allows you to create new groups with people from any existing group. This is especially useful when you need to separate a discussion from the main group, for example, when you need to discuss something that doesn’t concern everyone.
When will it be available?
All three group chat features are available to iOS and Android users. WhatsApp hasn’t specified specific timelines, but a blog post confirms that all three are already being rolled out. If any of the three features haven’t yet appeared, users should update the app and check for updates in the coming days.
Conclusion
This week, WhatsApp has focused on providing features for users in groups.
At GREEN-API, we monitor all WhatsApp updates to bring you the latest news and solutions for automating your business processes. Stay tuned to stay up-to-date with all the latest developments!