10 best WhatsApp features that made messaging easier in 2023

The year 2023 was all about technological advancements, but WhatsApp users certainly got to make the most of it. In fact, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform put user engagement on a pedestal in the previous year, making it a point to introduce new and improved features for simplified usage. But whether you’ve missed out on them or want to revisit the best ones, we’ve listed out the top 10 advancements that we love, for you; check them out here:

10 best WhatsApp introduced in 2023

WhatsApp, in 2023, transitioned from being a straightforward messaging app to a comprehensive, feature-rich platform that now allows you to perform several tasks with ease. Here are ten of the best improvements that were announced last year:

1. Channels
2. Locked chats
3. Screen sharing
4. HD Photo Sharing
5. Mask IP address on calls
6. Voice status updates
7. Companion mode
8. Silence unknown calls
9. Edit messages
10. Status link preview

ALSO READ: 5 WhatsApp features that prove it is transitioning into a meeting app

1. Channels

Of course, Channels was, perhaps, the most significant update that WhatsApp launched last year. The workings of this feature allow users to create topical broadcast groups and disseminate important news or updates. Whether you’re a public figure or someone with a small business, Channels lets you communicate more effectively with interested users, who can now discover new content by being a participant.

2. Locked chats

WhatsApp took privacy up a notch by introducing locked chats in 2023. To use this cool feature, all you have to do is scroll to the chat you want to secure, long-press it and tap the three-dot menu. Within this, you will find an option to lock the chat, which you can do with a PIN number or fingerprint.

3. Screen sharing

Screen sharing was probably one of the most useful features that WhatsApp introduced last year. In fact, it was rolled out not just for the web client but also for the smartphone app to help users conduct meetings with ease. The option to share your screen appears once you place a call. The panel at the bottom of your screen highlights a share screen icon, allowing you to project the homepage of your smartphone.

4. Share photos in HD

Longtime WhatsApp users were no strangers to the struggle of sending or receiving photos in lower resolution. But in 2023, the instant messaging platform introduced a way to send our favourite media across without compromising their quality. The HD share option ensures superior media sharing, minimising the hassle of sharing photos or videos as documents.

5. Mask IP address on calls

Another feature that stood out was the option to mask IP addresses on call. This means that the calls going through are no longer P2P (peer-to-peer); however, they reinforce an additional layer of privacy when you place calls to unknown numbers.

ALSO READ: WhatsApp announces the ability to mask IP addresses for calls

To actually activate this feature, you can tap navigate to WhatsApp Settings > Settings and Privacy. At the bottom of the page, you should find a ‘Protect IP’ address feature listed. If you don’t see the option, make sure you’re on the latest version of the app.

6. Voice status

Voice messages are passe, because WhatsApp in 2023 rolled out a simpler way to update your contacts about your life. Voice-based status updates help you share recorded status updates for a more personalised experience. To use this, head to the updates page and tap on the Pencil icon. Once the page opens up, you will find a microphone icon at the bottom right corner. Press and hold to record your message and post.

7. Companion mode

Another cool feature rolled out last year now allows users to operate the same WhatsApp account across multiple devices. The new feature, called Companion mode, also allowed these secondary devices to use the account irrespective of the primary device being connected. This let users finally use the same WhatsApp account on another smartphone or tablet, something they were not able to achieve with WhatsApp Web. This helps enhance accessibility and also facilitates a streamlined, omni-channel user experience.

8. Silence unknown calls

A useful feature introduced by WhatsApp in 2023 lets users silence unknown calls. Using this, you can cut down on disruptive calls, but they will still show up in your call log. To activate this, you can head over to Settings and tap on Privacy. Within this, you will see the option Calls, where you can select Silence Unknown Callers.

9. Edit WhatsApp chats

While ‘Delete for Everyone’ was a great addition, users missed the option to actually edit sent messages. Keeping this in mind, WhatsApp added this feature in 2023, allowing users to long-press a message and ‘edit’ it to correct or change it. The catch? Your message will show up with a tag that says ‘Edited’. Thankfully, the edit history of a changed message is not revealed. Phew!

10. Status link preview

Lastly, WhatsApp in 2023 added a feature that now lets you add a preview to the link you share on your status. Once you paste a link onto your status, WhatsApp will automatically fetch a preview for it. This means when a user views your status update, the message will show up with an image that supports your link.

ALSO READ: WhatsApp could soon let users enjoy music together

While there were several other features that the Meta-owned platform introduced (or was testing), these were a few that certainly changed the way we used the app in 2023. That said, there seem to be several other developments in the pipeline for WhatsApp users, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us in 2024.