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WhatsApp New Features of the Past Week (September 15, 2025 - September 26, 2025)#

September 26, 2025

New features in WA

This week, WhatsApp introduced a number of improvements aimed at making communication more personalized and convenient. This digest highlights key new features, which impacted visual effects, privacy management, and group interactions.

Contents#

1. Quizzes in Channels#

How it will work#

WhatsApp plans to implement a feature that will allow administrators to publish quizzes directly in their channels. The release is scheduled for a future update. A quiz is a new type of interactive message, similar to a poll, but with an important difference: only one answer is correct.

Why it's needed#

This feature encourages subscribers to actively participate by testing their knowledge or opinions, rather than simply choosing any option.

Availability#

This feature is still in development and is not yet available for beta testing.

2. AI-Powered Call Backgrounds#

How it will work#

WhatsApp announced the launch of a feature that generates backgrounds using artificial intelligence. A background is the visible environment behind you when you appear in a frame, and customizing it helps shape how others see you.

Why it's important#

With AI-generated backgrounds, instead of choosing from a set of standard options, you can now create unique and personalized visuals based on your imagination.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.25.93

3. Original Live Photos#

How it will work#

WhatsApp has begun offering some beta testers the ability to share Live Photos, allowing them to send and receive images that capture motion and sound. Live Photos are a unique format that combines a still image with a short video clip captured before and after the shutter button is pressed. This means they're not just a static shot, but a dynamic memory with motion and sound.

Why it's needed#

Now, when iOS users share a Live Photo, the recipient will see it exactly as intended.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.24.10.72

4. Status for Close Friends#

How it will work#

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows users to share status updates with a list of close friends, scheduled for release in the future. With this feature, users will be able to precisely control who can see certain updates, enhancing their sense of control over personal content. Unlike setting a broader audience, the close friends list serves as a safe space for more private interactions. For example, users can choose a default audience for their status updates, such as "My Contacts" or "Share Only With," but the "Close Friends" feature allows them to further restrict visibility to a more specific, curated group.

Why it's needed#

This gives users the flexibility to maintain general sharing habits while also creating exclusive updates for trusted contacts.

Availability#

This feature is still in development and is not yet available for beta testing.

5. Blue Read Receipts#

How it will work#

WhatsApp is testing a new behavior for read receipts in chat threads. Previously, read receipts in some threads were displayed in white instead of the traditional blue.

Why this is necessary#

This change was made because the blue check marks clashed with the colors of some message bubbles. WhatsApp initially decided to override the default blue color in some chat threads to improve accessibility, ensuring that read receipts would stand out against a white background.

Accessibility#

Available in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android and iOS

6. Extended GIF Keyboard#

How it will work#

Users can now take advantage of a new feature that makes searching for GIFs much more efficient and visually appealing. The updated layout displays an additional GIF per row, increasing the number of GIFs displayed simultaneously by 50%.

Why it works#

This means users spend less time scrolling through endless lists of animations, as more options instantly appear on the screen. This update is especially useful in the Trending and Popular sections, where dozens of new GIFs compete for attention simultaneously. By displaying more content in the same space, WhatsApp ensures users can find the GIF they need faster and with less effort.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.24.77

7. Structured Reply Threads#

How it will work#

A revamped reply system will be introduced, with each reply automatically creating a thread under the original message. Within the thread, users will find all related replies directly related to the original message.

Why it's needed#

This means all replies in a single thread will be neatly grouped, making it easier to follow the flow of the conversation. To focus on replies to a specific message, users simply tap the new reply indicator that appears in the message bubble. This indicator shows the number of replies already in the thread and also allows you to open the thread view to view all related replies.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.25.7 and iOS 25.25.10.70

8. Instagram Link in Profile#

How it will work#

A new verification process will be introduced that confirms the authenticity of the Instagram profile link added to WhatsApp. Through the Account Center, users can show others that the Instagram link displayed on their profile is indeed theirs. Those who already have an Instagram profile link can verify it in the app settings, where an option to verify an existing link may be available. Users who have never added an Instagram profile link can set it up directly during the verification process.

Why it's needed#

This feature prevents confusion and impersonation by ensuring that the Instagram link displayed on the WhatsApp profile truly belongs to the person sharing it.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.25.10.72

9. Quick Privacy Settings for Statuses#

How it will work#

WhatsApp is currently changing the picture editor screen interface to make it easier to select the audience for your status update. New selection fields, similar to the filters available in the "Chats" tab, can be found at the bottom of the screen. These features allow users to instantly switch between different privacy settings, such as "My Contacts" and "Share Only With."

Why it's needed#

By selecting one of the available fields, users can specify who can view their status update before publishing it, without leaving the picture editor screen or adjusting individual privacy settings in the menu.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.25.25.11

10. Unified Group Calling System#

How it will work#

This new feature will allow you to schedule calls and view upcoming calls directly in the "Calls" tab. Now users can quickly view scheduled calls, quickly access call details, and adjust the call schedule if necessary. According to the official changelog, when scheduling a call, users are prompted to select the contact or group with whom they want to share the invitation.

Why it's needed#

This simplifies pre-scheduling conversations and ensures that all participants receive the call details.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.25.73

11. Message Reminders#

How it will work#

It will now be possible to set reminders for each message. By setting a reminder, users can schedule a notification to return to a specific message at a convenient time.

Why it's needed#

Users can choose from preset intervals, such as two hours, eight hours, or one day, allowing for quick and convenient follow-up planning. Additionally, there's a fully customizable option allowing users to choose the exact date and time for the reminder, which is especially useful for coordinating with meetings or deadlines.

Availability#

Tested in WhatsApp beta for WhatsApp for iOS 25.25.74

12. Mentioning Everyone in the Group#

How it will work#

WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows members to mention everyone in their group chats. The release is planned for a future update. The new feature will appear in the user mentions menu as "Everyone." This placement allows users to easily find and use it alongside existing mentions of individual members. By selecting this option, users will be able to send messages that will notify all group members at once, regardless of their individual notification settings.

Why it's needed#

This means that instead of tagging each contact individually, a single mention will trigger notifications for every participant in the conversation.

Availability#

This feature is still in development and is not yet available for beta testing.

Conclusion#

Mid-September was a period of active development for WhatsApp on tools for content creation, attention management, and seamless group communication. These innovations demonstrate the platform's commitment to adapting to a variety of use cases—from informal messaging to work and public communications.

At GREEN-API, we monitor all WhatsApp updates to provide you with the latest news and solutions for automating your business processes. Stay tuned to stay up-to-date with all the latest developments!