WhatsApp is enhancing message management with the introduction of filters for easier navigation. For those who use WhatsApp more like an inbox, this update brings added utility. Recently, WhatsApp unveiled a selection of new chat filters, including All, Unread, and Groups.
By default, the “All” filter presents an unfiltered view of your inbox. Meanwhile, the “Unread” filter proves beneficial for identifying unseen messages, facilitating inbox organization and eliminating pesky unread message indicators. While WhatsApp previously offered a filter in the search bar to view unread messages, the addition of filter bubbles atop the chat screen provides easier access to this option.
According to Meta, the “Groups” filter stands out as one of the most anticipated features, enabling swift navigation through all group chats. Moreover, this filter encompasses conversations within subgroups under WhatsApp’s Communities feature.
These filter bubbles may ring a bell for Gmail users, as a similar feature was introduced by the Google-owned email service in 2020 to streamline search functionality.
This initial set of filters may only scratch the surface. Reports from WABetaInfo suggest that WhatsApp has been exploring additional filters, such as “Contacts” to filter messages from unknown individuals and businesses, “Favorites” to mark frequently contacted contacts, and even custom chat filters across various beta versions of the app.
WhatsApp has confirmed that these filter options will begin rolling out to users today, with availability expected for all users within a few weeks.
