WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow new members in the group to access messages sent in the group 24 hours prior to their joining. The feature, called “Recent History Sharing”, will only be accessible to group admins.
“This feature will automatically share messages sent in the group 24 hours before someone new joins. When turned on, all group members will always be notified within the group chat thanks to a dedicated message event,” said WABetainfo, a platform that tests WhatsApp features before they are rolled out to the masses.
The feature has been spotted on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.18.5 and will be available in a future update of the app.
How it may help users
The feature may be helpful to new group members. When a person joins a new group, there is a high possibility that he/ she does not understand the context of the messages that are being shared if previous messages were sent before the user became a member of the group.
Once enabled by the admin, the feature will enable the new group members to read messages that were shared before they joined the group. This way, a lot of messages will make sense for the new members of the group.
2Group renaming feature
The development comes as WhatsApp announced a feature that will allow users to create groups on the instant messaging app without having to name them.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the update on his Instagram channel and Facebook handle. This feature is being rolled out globally and will reach all devices over the next few weeks.
This means that users will be able to create a group even if they have not decided on a name.
At that time, the group will be dynamically named based on who is in a group. Each user will see a different name of the group based on how they have contacts saved in their phone. Unnamed groups can have up to six participants.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the Group History Sharing feature on WhatsApp?
Group History Sharing allows new members who join a WhatsApp group to see past messages, media, and links shared before they joined. This helps them get up to speed with the conversations and context.
How does this feature benefit new members?
New members can instantly access past messages and shared content, such as images, videos, and links, without needing to ask existing members for context or updates.
Can new members see all previous messages when they join a group?
Yes, they can view messages, media, and links shared in the group before their arrival, making it easier to catch up on discussions and shared content.
Who can turn on the Group History Sharing feature?
Group admins are responsible for enabling or disabling this feature. They control whether new members can access group history upon joining.
Will new members be able to see all shared content or just a limited portion?
The history shown will typically include all relevant messages and media, but the amount of history accessible might depend on the group’s settings and WhatsApp’s limitations.
Can new members interact with older messages after they join the group?
Yes, once they have access to group history, new members can read, react to, or reply to older messages, just like they would with messages shared after they joined.
How can this feature improve group communication?
By allowing new members to quickly catch up on past conversations and media, it reduces confusion, enhances communication, and makes it easier for everyone to stay on the same page in the group.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s “Group History Sharing” feature provides a valuable tool for new members joining a group. It ensures that they can quickly catch up on past conversations, shared media, and important links, enhancing communication and reducing the need to ask for context. By making group history accessible, this feature promotes smoother integration of new members and improves overall group interaction, helping everyone stay informed and engaged in ongoing discussions.