In the latest TestFlight release for its iOS beta testers, WhatsApp rolled out a tool called “Writing Help,” which suggests replies based on the tone set by the user. Here’s how it works.
As noted by WABetaInfo:
When Private Processing is enabled from the app settings, some users will notice that after typing a short phrase within the chat text input, the sticker icon in the chat bar is replaced with a pen symbol. This new icon indicates that the AI assistant is available to provide writing suggestions. Tapping it allows the user to instantly request improvements to structure, tone, or clarity, making it easier to craft polished and personalized messages before sending them.
In practice, Writing Help offers “at least three” alternative phrasings, based on one of five tones that the user can choose from:
Rephrase: improves clarity and flow without changing meaning
improves clarity and flow without changing meaning Professional: adjusts language for more formal chats
adjusts language for more formal chats Funny: adds a lighter or a humorous twist
adds a lighter or a humorous twist Supportive: softens the tone and aims to be uplifting
softens the tone and aims to be uplifting Proofread: fixes spelling and grammar issues
After reviewing the results, the user can either keep the original message, or replace it with one of the suggestions. The recipient won’t see any indication that AI was used.
Meta says the feature is, and will remain, opt-in
Meta says that Writing Help is powered by its “Private Processing” system, which is the same architecture behind Meta AI features in other apps.
As with the Android version, the AI assistant is off by default and must be turned on manually.
The company claims that it doesn’t store user data, that messages are processed anonymously and encrypted, and that it only works on the one message currently in the input field, meaning it doesn’t scan the conversation history.
As with other beta features being tested on TestFlight, there is no specific ETA for the official release, but given Meta’s push to roll out AI-based features, it shouldn’t be long before it’s made available more broadly.
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