WhatsApp Favourites Tab, Redesigned Call Screen Now Rolling Out to Users

WhatsApp users who have recently updated to the latest version of the app on Android and iOS will soon see a new ‘Favourites’ Tab in the main message list and in the Calls section. This is intended to help users quickly find conversations and begin calls with people who are important to them, rather than having to search or scroll through long lists. With more and more businesses relying on WhatsApp, and social circles constantly expanding, it can be easy for important messages to get buried. 

Meta, which owns and develops WhatsApp, had been working on this feature for a while, and plenty of users had been asking for it across feedback threads and social media. It was recently announced on the official WhatsApp blog, but it could be a week or more before everyone begins to see the change. 

The app was recently updated with a new filter bar to help people sort surface unread conversations and separate group chats from direct message threads. The new Favourites filter could be just the beginning of new functionality that expands on this. 

In the Calls section of the app, users will be able to speed-dial contacts that have been designated as favourites, much like with any modern-day phone dialler interface. Users can add a favourite from this screen, and the WhatsApp Settings menu also has a new Favourites section that will allow users to manage and rearrange their designated contacts.

Separately, some iPhone users running the latest version of WhatsApp, 24.14.78, have reported that they are seeing a new in-call UI that places all controls closer to the bottom of the screen to make them easier to reach when holding a smartphone with one hand. Interestingly, there has been no mention of this in the app’s official release notes. According to WABetaInfo, this has been spotted in WhatsApp beta releases for Android, which means the company might still be tweaking its changes and gathering feedback. 

Earlier this month, WhatsApp improved the in-call experience for group calls with a few UI changes. Up to 32 people can now join a group call, which will make the app more competitive with Google Meet and Zoom, and make it more useful for businesses. The person speaking is now highlighted and will appear most prominently on screen. Finally, screen sharing now includes audio, which could be useful for presentations and collaborating over audio-visual material.