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Now you don't have to explain to a new group member what's going on#

January 16, 2026

New features in WA

Greetings to everyone following WhatsApp! This week, the developers focused on tools for expressing emotions, privacy, and group management. Key new features include smart sticker search, expanded settings for disappearing messages, and a long-awaited feature that will make it easier for newcomers to join active chats.

Contents#

Smart Search and Text Sticker Creation#

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to filter stickers and create their own text stickers.

How it will work#

Quick filters by category (e.g., "Hello," "Love," "Sad") will appear in the sticker panel. When you select a filter or enter text manually, personalized text stickers—graphic templates with your phrase—are instantly generated at the top of the search results.

Why it's needed#

This feature solves two problems: it saves time searching for the right reaction and allows you to create a unique sticker with any text, even if the right one isn't in your sets.

Status#

Beta testing is underway for WhatsApp users on Android. Some users of the stable version may also have access to certain elements.

New Timers for Disappearing Messages#

WhatsApp is working on adding additional timer features for disappearing messages to the web version.

How it will work#

Two new timer options will be added to the disappearing messages settings on the web version: 1 hour and 12 hours. When choosing a shorter timer, the system will display a warning to prevent accidental loss of important information.

Why it's needed#

This gives you more precise control over your privacy. The 1-hour timer is ideal for sending one-time codes, while the 12-hour timer is ideal for discussing daily plans that don't need to be saved in the history.

Status#

This feature is under active development and will appear in a future WhatsApp Web update.

Automatic Group History Sharing for New Members#

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to share their chat history with new group members.

How it will work#

When adding a new member to a group, the administrator will be prompted to share their recent message history (up to 100 messages in the last 14 days). Messages will be highlighted, and all members will see a system notification about this action.

Why it's needed#

New members will be able to quickly get to the gist of the conversation without having to ask again, and the ongoing conversation won't be interrupted. This is especially useful for work and active topic-related chats.

Status#

This feature is available to some beta testers in WhatsApp beta for Android and is disabled by default.

Parental Controls for Child Accounts#

WhatsApp is working on core management features to help parents manage additional accounts with limited features.

How it will work#

Parents will be able to create a secondary account with limited features for their child and link it to their primary account. The management interface will allow them to customize privacy settings (for example, allowing calls only from contacts) and receive activity reports without access to private chats.

Why it's needed#

To provide a safer digital environment for teens by giving parents tools for basic control while maintaining the privacy of their child's communications thanks to end-to-end encryption.

Status#

This feature is in early development in WhatsApp beta for Android. The exact release date is unknown.

Display Username in Chats#

WhatsApp is working on a feature that will add the ability to display usernames in chats.

How it will work#

When chatting with someone matched by their username (e.g., @username) rather than their phone number, that @username will be permanently displayed in the chat header and on the info screen. The phone number will be hidden unless it's saved in your contacts.

Why it's needed#

This is the next step toward communicating without revealing your phone number. This feature increases privacy and makes it clear who you're talking to, especially in chats with strangers or businesses.

Status#

This feature is in development. According to information for business partners, the ability to reserve usernames may be available in the first half of 2026.

Conclusion#

The main trend this week is improving convenience without sacrificing privacy. WhatsApp is introducing smart assistants for communication, while simultaneously giving users more granular control over their digital lives: timers, parental controls, and nicknames.

At GREEN-API, we're monitoring 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!