WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, used by millions for personal and professional communication. While many people use WhatsApp daily, most don’t take full advantage of its powerful features. Below, we’ve compiled 10 clever WhatsApp hacks that will transform your messaging experience and boost your productivity.
1. Pin Important Chats for Quick Access
If you frequently message certain contacts or groups, pinning their chats to the top of your list can save time. To pin a chat:
- On Android: Long-press the chat and tap the pin icon at the top.
- On iOS: Swipe right on the chat and select the pin option.
Pinned chats will stay at the top, no matter how many new messages you receive, ensuring you never miss important conversations.
2. Bold, Italicize, or Strikethrough Text
Adding style to your messages is easy with WhatsApp’s text formatting options:
- Bold: Add an asterisk (*) before and after the text, e.g., bold.
- Italicize: Use underscores (_), e.g., italic.
- Strikethrough: Use tildes (~), e.g., strikethrough.
- Combine styles for more emphasis, e.g., bold and italic.
This feature is perfect for emphasizing points in both casual and professional chats.
3. Use Starred Messages to Bookmark Important Information
Never lose track of essential messages by starring them. To start a message:
- Long-press the message and tap the star icon.
Access starred messages anytime by tapping the three-dot menu (Android) or settings menu (iOS), then selecting “Starred Messages.”
4. Hide Your Online Status
If you value privacy, WhatsApp allows you to control who can see your online status. To adjust:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Last Seen & Online.
- Choose who can see your “Last Seen” and “Online” statuses: Everyone, My Contacts, My Contacts Except…, or Nobody.
This feature is ideal for staying discreet while using the app.
5. Create Custom Notifications for Contacts
Customizing notifications makes it easier to identify messages from specific contacts without checking your phone. Here’s how:
- Open the chat, tap the contact’s name, and select “Custom Notifications.”
- Adjust the tone, vibration pattern, or LED color (on supported devices).
This is especially useful for distinguishing work messages from personal ones.
6. Schedule Messages with Third-Party Apps
While WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in scheduling feature, third-party apps like SKEDit can help:
- Install SKEDIT from the Google Play Store.
- Grant permissions and schedule your message, including the recipient, time, and text.
This feature is great for sending birthday wishes, reminders, or professional updates.
7. Send Messages to Yourself for Notes and Reminders
WhatsApp can double as your note-taking app. Simply:
- Open your browser and type wa.me/your phone number (replace “your phone number” with your full phone number, including country code).
- Start a chat with yourself and save the chat for quick access.
Use this space for to-do lists, saving links, or storing important information.
8. Enable Two-Step Verification for Extra Security
Protect your account from unauthorized access by enabling two-step verification:
- Go to Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification.
- Set a six-digit PIN and an optional email for recovery.
This adds an extra layer of security, ensuring your data stays safe even if someone has your SIM card.
9. Export Chat History for Record-Keeping
If you need to save a chat for future reference, exporting it is straightforward:
- Open the chat, tap the three-dot menu (Android) or contact name (iOS), and select More > Export Chat.
- Choose to include media or send the chat via email.
This is especially useful for preserving important conversations or work-related discussions.
10. Use WhatsApp Web for Easy Typing
WhatsApp Web lets you send and receive messages from your computer:
- Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser.
- Scan the QR code using WhatsApp on your phone (Settings > Linked Devices).