WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app among many users in Canada and the United States, has rolled out a substantial update with several fresh features. Among the notable additions is a new way to view groups that have been shared with others, a change officially announced through the app’s blog. This enhancement aims to give users a clearer sense of group activity and ownership, while also helping admins keep better control over who joins and participates in conversations.
According to the developers, the update is designed to streamline navigation between different groups and to simplify administration. For group admins, this means easier moderation and a more transparent flow for handling member requests, particularly when using invite links or managing group membership from a central community hub. This aligns with WhatsApp’s emphasis on protecting privacy in conversations that can involve personal matters among members.
One practical change is that admins can now approve or decline requests to join a group either via a direct invite link or through the community management panel. This gives admins greater flexibility to manage access without complicating the onboarding process for new members, a feature that may be especially helpful for large organizations or active communities that rely on WhatsApp for internal coordination.
Additionally, the update makes it easier for users to verify which groups their friends are in and to view the comprehensive list of public groups. The goal, as described by the team behind Messenger, is to provide a quick way to understand group affiliations and discover public groups that match a user’s interests. This can be useful for people who want to reconnect with acquaintances, form new study or hobby circles, or simply explore public communities that align with their personal or professional interests.
The blog note confirms that the all-new features will roll out worldwide in the coming weeks and will be available for both iOS and Android devices. This phased rollout should help ensure stability while giving users time to adapt to the new navigation and privacy controls.
Fans of WhatsApp should also note that the update introduces a few expressive additions. While the primary emphasis remains on group management and discoverability, the update is accompanied by a sprinkle of new emoji expressions. Among these are are expressive icons like a jellyfish, a pea, a goose in motion, maracas, and a handheld fan, which developers say will add a touch of fun and personality to conversations.