WhatsApp is rolling out an update that lets Apple Watch users react to messages with any emoji from watchOS's full library, organized into eight categories including Smileys, Nature, and Objects. Previously, reactions on the Apple Watch app were limited to six default emojis, requiring an iPhone for anything else. Tapping and holding a message still shows the six defaults, but a new picker offers recent emojis and the complete system set.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
WhatsApp is officially rolling out a new search button within individual chats, groups, and channels on iOS after weeks of beta testing. The button appears at the top of the screen when users scroll up through a conversation and disappears when they return to the bottom, letting them search messages without leaving the chat.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-18
WhatsApp is developing a feature that would let iPhone users manage up to three separate accounts within one app, according to WABetaInfo. This builds on the second-account support the app introduced last June after months of beta testing. Each account would retain its own chat history, notifications, privacy settings, backups, and media.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-16
WhatsApp is rolling out a new iPad interface that replaces the bottom tab bar with a Mac-like sidebar for navigating Chats, Updates, Communities, Calls and Meta AI. Users can hide the sidebar to expand the chat list and conversation view for a less cramped layout. The feature is currently reaching some TestFlight beta testers as well as a portion of regular App Store users.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-11
WhatsApp is rolling out an update that doubles the maximum length of music clips users can attach to status updates, from 15 seconds to 30 seconds. A new duration picker in the music editor lets users scroll through options and choose any clip length up to the new maximum, whether pairing music with a photo or posting it alone.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-09
WhatsApp is developing a feature that lets users generate an API key inside the app to link outside AI agents to individual chats, then message those agents directly for responses or task execution. According to WABetaInfo, the feature limits agents to reading only the messages shared in that one conversation, with no access to other chats, contacts, or media, and currently supports only one-on-one chats rather than groups or communities.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-07
WhatsApp has begun rolling out five new chat theme categories on iOS: Featured, Nature, Live, Minimal, and Doodle, according to WABetaInfo. The standout is Live, which offers slowly moving animated backgrounds marked by a small icon, while the app automatically matches chat bubble colors to the chosen theme.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-08-28
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