WhatsApp: all the new features of its major March update

If you use WhatsApp daily, this month will sound like a total revolution. The messaging app is launching a flurry of changes in March. that affect the design, privacy, how you talk to your contacts, and even how you communicate with people on other apps like Telegram or Signal.

Meta has stepped up its game and has launched or is gradually rolling out many features that we had been seeing in the beta for some time. In this guide we calmly review all the new features of WhatsApp in MarchWhat you can already use, what's arriving in phases, and what's been leaked and should arrive in the coming weeks.

March update for WhatsApp on iOS, Android and PC

WhatsApp moves staggering figures: over 2.000 billion monthly active users and around 100.000 billion daily messagesWith such a large volume of updates, every change to the app is noticeable, and March is proving to be one of those months in which practically everyone will see something new when they update.

On Android, the latest stable version is already around the series 2.25.x on Google Play, while on iPhone the most recent build is in line 25.8.x on the App StoreIn addition, specific versions have been released for Windows and Mac with their own features, mainly focused on stickers and text formats.

It should be noted that Many features arrive in beta first. and they take days or weeks to appear in the stable version. While it's tempting to install the beta to try everything out first, it's not a good idea if you want a stable app. WhatsApp betas are test versions and they can fail, close chats, or consume more battery.

The most sensible thing to do is wait until the new features are officially announced, and then... Update WhatsApp from the app storeWhether on Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac, the rollout is always gradual, so it's normal that it won't reach all users on the same day.

In addition to the visible features, Meta continues to refine internal details: encryption improvements, server optimization, and minor interface tweaks which may not be noticeable at first glance, but allow the flow of messages and images to continue without interruption.

New design and color themes in WhatsApp

If you've had the feeling that WhatsApp "looks different" after updating, it's not just you. Meta has redesigned a large part of the interface, especially on Android.with a cleaner, more modern look and less saturated with green.

Classic green is still present, but now it's combined with softer color palettes and flatter backgroundsThe top bar, menus, and some icons have been tweaked to unify with the style of other Meta apps and prepare the way for new chat themes.

One of the most spectacular features is the arrival of the Custom topics for each conversationThese themes allow you to choose background colors and chat message bubble colors, so you can differentiate, for example, a work group from a group of friends at a glance.

This theme system began to expand strongly in February, but In March it continues to reach more mobiles and platformsThis feature is available on both iOS and Android. It won't appear in all chats at once; you'll see the option gradually as your app updates on the server side.

Thanks to these aesthetic changes, the experience is a little more pleasant on a daily basis and, above all, You gain in personalization without complicating the settings.You don't need to be an expert: you choose colors, apply them, and you're done.

WhatsApp opens up to other apps: interoperability and third-party chats

The big bombshell this month is the so-called interoperability or “chats with third parties”In short: WhatsApp is starting to allow you to receive messages and reply from other messaging apps, without having to leave WhatsApp.

This change is not a whim of Meta, but a direct consequence of the European Union Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces large platforms considered “gatekeepers of access” to open up and allow interoperability with rival services.

WhatsApp's director of engineering, Dick Brouwer explained that the priority remains end-to-end encryption.That's why the company is documenting its client-server protocol so that third-party apps can connect to its servers without compromising security.

In its first phase, this interoperability will focus on text messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and files between two peopleLater on, the idea is to expand compatibility to voice calls, video calls, and group chats, although there is no firm date yet.

To manage all of this, WhatsApp will create a specific section called something like “Third-party chats” at the top of the conversation listThat's where messages from other platforms will go, separated from the rest so you know where they're coming from.

Very important: This feature will be entirely optional.You'll need to activate it if you want to receive messages from other apps; if you don't turn it on, WhatsApp will continue to work as before, only between WhatsApp accounts.

Among the services that are expected to be able to connect are names such as Telegram, Signal, Google Messages, iMessage, Facebook Messenger or Skypeprovided they adopt the necessary technical requirements (such as the RCS standard and encryption requirements).

Privacy and security: screenshot blocking, privacy menu, and fraud alerts

Another strong set of new features in March focuses on better protecting your data. WhatsApp is strengthening the privacy of profiles, statuses, and chats.as well as preparing tools to detect scams before it's too late.

The most striking novelty is the blocking screenshots on profile picturesUntil now, you couldn't directly download another contact's photo, but you could take a screenshot. With the new feature, when you try to take a screenshot of a profile picture, a warning will appear indicating that the app is preventing it for security reasons.

This measure comes in addition to other recent changes such as Hide your photo from strangers, leave groups without telling everyone or limit who can see your last seen time. It's all aimed at making it a little harder to share your image without permission.

In addition, WhatsApp is testing a system for detecting suspicious conversations and potential fraudIt's very similar to the spam filters in Gmail or Outlook. The idea is that, before you open a chat from an unknown number, the app can alert you that the message appears to be phishing or a scam attempt.

These early warnings will allow you Block and report the contact without even entering the conversation.This greatly reduces the risk of falling into malicious links or sharing personal information with the wrong person.

To centralize the configuration, a New "privacy checkup" menu accessible from the URL https://wa.me/privacy/checkupFrom there you can review, step by step, who can contact you, what data you show, what protection you apply to your chats, and what extra security measures you want for your account.

This same panel includes functions such as blocking screenshots on sensitive content, the option to hide your online status, silently leaving groups, or additional layers of account protection.

What's New in States and Shared Content

WhatsApp Status, those stories that last 24 hours, are also receiving a lot of attention in this wave of changes. The idea is to make them more creative, more private, and easier to share with other networks.

One of the most anticipated features that has already begun to be rolled out is the Add music to WhatsApp StatusWhen creating a new Status, you'll see an icon with a musical note: tapping it lets you select a snippet of your favorite song to play in the background of your update.

Meta is also working to ensure that You can add songs directly from Spotify to your Status updates.This option is being tested and should arrive soon, so your music library or playlists will be integrated with what you share on WhatsApp.

Another useful new feature is that now You can share your WhatsApp Status updates as Instagram Stories or posts, and even bring them to Facebook in different ways (stories, feed posts or in groups).

In practice, this allows you to upload a single Status update and reuse it as a story or post on Instagram with just a couple of taps. saving time for those who manage several social networks at once and they want to keep the same content synchronized.

Finally, how you see other people's Status updates is being redesigned. The app will add rectangular previews at the top of the “What’s New” tabwhere you can see the name, profile picture, and a small portion of the content without it counting as "seen." In other words, you can take a quick look at what someone has uploaded without them seeing your view.

Advanced text formats and new writing options

WhatsApp has also given a significant boost to the way we write. Beyond bold, italics, strikethrough, and monospace, New text formats have been added that are very useful for long messages.technical explanations or work communications.

From now on, you can create bulleted lists, numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code snippetsThese formats are already available on Android, iOS, WhatsApp Web, and the desktop app for Mac.

Underlying all of this is based on a Very simple Markdown-like syntaxFor example, for a bulleted list, simply write a hyphen “-” followed by a space before each line; for numbered lists, use one or two digits, a period, and a space. Quotations are activated with “>” at the beginning of the line, and inline code is enclosed in the text with the backslash symbol “`”.

These little tricks allow your messages to be much more readable when you share instructions, to-do lists, notes, or even codeThis update is especially useful for students, professionals, and users who use WhatsApp as a work tool.

In addition, the app is incorporating the option to pin up to three messages in a chatThis is very practical for anchoring key information (an address, an account number, a reminder) without it getting lost among hundreds of new messages.

All of this is complemented by small interface changes so you can see the [information] more clearly. end-to-end encryption indicator in chats, especially on Android, where it is now better indicated than before.

Meta AI and new features with artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is also making its presence felt on WhatsApp. Meta AI, the company's intelligent assistant, is gradually reaching users in Europe and Spain., both on iOS and Android, although very unevenly.

When this feature is activated on your account, you will see a Blue round icon floating in the chats tabWhen you tap it, a conversation opens with Meta AI, just like any other contact you can ask questions, explain things to, or request ideas from.

For now, the assistant has It has limitations and does not offer all the features that Meta has offered in other regions.But the idea is that it will gradually gain capabilities over time and integrate more naturally into the WhatsApp experience.

Among the AI ​​functions that are under development is the ability to Generate profile pictures for groups automatically using artificial intelligenceSomething that could arrive in the coming months. Imagine creating a new group and the app suggesting an icon generated from the group's theme without you having to search for images.

Also on the horizon is the Improved video calls with effects, filters, backgrounds, reactions, and even the "raise hand" option to talk, much like traditional videoconferencing platforms.

Multimedia features: Live Photos, motion photos, and single-play audio

Beyond text, WhatsApp continues to refine how we share photos, videos, and audio. One of the most interesting new features is the support for animated photographs., those images that capture moments before and after the shot.

On iPhones they are known as Live Photos, on some Google Pixels as Top Shot, and on Samsung phones as Motion Photos. WhatsApp is working on enabling them to be sent and played correctly.so that they don't lose their movement effect when shared.

In the case of Android, it is also expected that The app allows sending "live photos" in the style of iOSThis feature, which was previously more limited, is currently in testing and will be released in the stable version once the tests are complete.

Another important change that is already underway is the arrival of the single-listen audio filesIt works similarly to temporary photos and videos: you can record a voice message that the recipient can only listen to once; as soon as it is played, it disappears.

These types of messages are useful for share sensitive or specific information that you don't want savedHowever, it's worth remembering that there's always the possibility that the other person might record the sound with another device, so it's not perfect protection.

Group events, invitation links, and calendar

WhatsApp groups have also become more organized. The app is including the option to set scheduled events within the group or community information.designed for get-togethers, meetings, classes or any joint activity.

These events will appear in a specific section so that all members can see important information at a glanceDate, time, description, and possible reminders. It's something that's been in development for a while and, according to the betas, is quite advanced.

In parallel, WhatsApp has improved the management of group invitation links. In the new Android beta (2.25.9.x series) all members can access the invitation linknot just the administrators, which makes it easier for the group to grow without a single person having to be on top of things.

By combining these features, the idea is that the groups will be more than just a chaotic chat room and approach a kind of organized mini-communitywith scheduled events, clear announcements, and tools that make it easier to coordinate many people.

Passkeys, access keys, and default calling app in iOS

In terms of account security, WhatsApp is moving towards a model without traditional passwords. In version 24.2.10.7 for iPhone, passkeys or access keys have been activated.which replace the classic six-digit code sent by SMS.

With passkeys, login is based on biometric data from the device itself, such as facial recognition (Face ID) or fingerprint (Touch ID)This not only simplifies access, but also reduces the risk of someone stealing your code via SMS.

The possibility is also being rolled out for iPhone users. Choose WhatsApp as your default app for calls and messagesIn practice, this means that when you initiate a call or send a message from the Contacts app, the system will try to do it through WhatsApp instead of using the Phone or Messages app.

However, the current implementation is somewhat limited: Call management is done through the Contacts app and it's not very convenient.So it's an interesting feature, but one that still has room for improvement if Apple and Meta fine-tune the integration.

Finally, iOS is also introducing the option to set a specific access key for the appAdding an extra layer of security if you share your iPhone or are worried that someone might access your chats without permission.

New features on desktop: sticker editor and improvements for Windows and Mac

The desktop version of WhatsApp is also excellent. On Windows, build 2.2403.3.0 introduces a custom sticker editor much more complete and simpler than before.

Now you can go to the stickers button, tap the “+” symbol and Create your own stickers by combining images, cutouts, and additional elementsOnce saved, they are automatically added to your sticker panel for use in any chat.

On Android, beta 2.24.6.5 also includes a revised and more efficient sticker editorallowing you to manage collections, better crop figures, and adjust them more precisely.

On Mac and WhatsApp Web, in addition to the new text formats we mentioned earlier, The search function for messages by date has been activated for many users.bringing the desktop experience closer to the mobile experience.

Search messages by date and other search improvements

Mark Zuckerberg has recently boasted about a simple but very useful feature: Searching for messages by date in any chatIf you've been talking to someone for years, this can save you a lot of scrolling.

The feature is already available on iOS and is being rolled out to Android, Mac, and WhatsApp Web. However, it is only available through a browser. For now, it only allows going back to the last six months., a limitation that could be expanded in future versions.

To use it, simply enter a chat, tap the contact or group name at the top and Click on the “Search” option to choose the specific date which one you want to jump to. From there, you'll see directly the messages sent that day onwards.

This improvement is in addition to the existing searches for multimedia files, links, and documents, building a fairly comprehensive system to find anything without going crazy, even in very active groups.

Device compatibility: phones that are not supported

With each major update, some older devices inevitably fall off the compatibility list. As of March 2024, WhatsApp requires at least Android 5.0 and iOS 12. to continue operating normally.

This implies that Certain older models will no longer be able to use the appAmong them are several Samsungs (Galaxy Core, Trend Lite, Ace 2, S3 mini, Trend II, Xcover 2), many LGs from the Optimus family, some Huaweis (Ascend Mate, G740, D2), ZTE models and even iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.

If your mobile phone is on that list or uses a system version lower than those mentioned, Sooner or later you will see a notice indicating that you will no longer receive updates. And at some point, the app will stop working properly.

Meta's intention is to concentrate efforts on platforms that can support the new security, encryption and multimedia featuresThis is difficult on very old hardware and systems that are no longer updated.

Although it can be a nuisance to have to change phones, especially if yours still works reasonably well, Maintaining a modern messaging app on mobile phones without security patches This poses a clear risk to everyone's privacy.

With all these changes in design, privacy, multimedia, text, interoperability, and security, WhatsApp is positioning itself quite strongly to remain the leading messaging app, but at the same time It opens the door to a more open, user-controlled ecosystem with many more options for everyday use.both on mobile and on computer.