Skip to main content

Keep an eye on your most important threads with WhatsApp's new pinned chats

You’re a popular person, so it’s no wonder that your friends are blowing up your WhatsApp. But let’s be honest: You don’t have time for all those messages clogging up your inbox, especially when they detract attention from the folks who actually matter.

Thankfully, there’s now a way to cut through the noise. WhatsApp looks to be testing a new feature that will let you pin your most important conversations at the top of your inbox, so you always know what mom or dad has to say, even if Cousin Bob is trying to get your attention with 10 messages in a row.

Recommended Videos

As first reported by Android Police, WhatsApp beta 2.17.162 and 163 have added the new feature, which allows you to designate certain WhatsApp contacts as VIP. Simply tap and hold any chat you’d like to access a pin icon in the action bar alongside the delete, mute, and archive options. Once you’ve pinned the conversation, it’ll stay at the top of your WhatsApp list, even if you have more recent chats. Think of it as a pinned tweet — it’ll always be at the top of your feed.

For the time being, it looks as though you can only pin three chats at a time. If you try to add more, you’ll get a toast notification informing you that your action isn’t allowed. But don’t worry — if one of your parents does something to annoy you, you can always unpin them from your favorites, and replace them with your favorite aunt or someone less insufferable.

WhatsApp is also experimenting with a special Change Number feature in the new beta, which ought to make it a lot more straightforward when it comes to changing the mobile number associated with an account. For now, it looks like you’ll have to get WhatsApp beta 2.17.162 or 163 in order to access any of these new features, but it seems safe to assume that the popular messaging app will be rolling out these updates en masse relatively soon, too.

Lulu Chang
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
WhatsApp’s prepping a new photo collage feature for status updates
WhatsApp app icon appearing on a phone.

WhatsApp is developing a new feature for sharing stories called collage photos. As reported by Android Authority, this feature aims to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of status updates.

Found in WhatsApp version 2.25.8.5, the collage photos feature includes a Layout button that appears when you attempt to post a media status. From this button, you can attach up to six photos arranged in various grid options. Additionally, you have the ability to reposition images within the layout to suit your preferences.

Read more
WhatsApp makes move to cut the number of spam messages you get
WhatsApp logo on a phone held in hand.

Are you tired of seeing spam messages and getting notifications about being added to random chat groups from people you don't know? WhatsApp is working to limit the amount of spam messages you receive.

According to a report from TechCrunch, the chat platform announced on Tuesday that it will be testing monthly limits on the number of broadcast messages from both individual and business accounts in the coming weeks as part of an effort to reduce the amount of spam you'll get from those accounts whether you follow them or not. However, it's not entirely clear how many limits there will be.

Read more
WhatsApp’s testing a new feature to make your busy group chats less chaotic
The WhatsApp logo.

Last month, WhatsApp introduced new chat themes. The free messaging and video calling app is launching a new message threads feature to reduce chaos in group chats.

WABetaInfo discovered that a new Android beta version of WhatsApp includes a feature to organize message replies into threaded conversations. The site explains that “instead of scrolling through a long list of individual replies, users will be able to follow and view all the related responses in a dedicated thread, keeping the conversation structured and easy to follow.”

Read more