WhatsApp Gets New Chat Filters, Favourite Contacts Spotted in Beta Tests

WhatsApp users will soon be able to quickly filter their chat list to show only groups or only unread messages, and reports suggest that even more filter types are on the way. The new UI feature was announced in a WhatsApp blog post as well as by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his personal broadcast channel. Users on Android and iOS should start seeing the change at some point over the next few weeks, as updates are being rolled out.

Once the update takes effect, users will see that the archive link below the search field in the messages list has been replaced by a row that shows various filter options. The archive link has been reduced in size, making way for new buttons: All, Unread, and Groups. The previous Filter button, which only allowed users to see unread messages, has been done away with.

The names of each filter are self explanatory – All is the default view showing all messages in reverse chronological order, as usual. Unread will still show only conversations that you haven’t fully caught up on yet, but it will be quicker to access so you can make sure you haven’t missed anything important. Groups will show all chats with multiple members as well as community subgroups.

According to Meta, this will make it easier for people to find the conversations they are looking for, and help prevent messages from going unread or getting lost in a flood. Messages can be more easily prioritised, and users can get back to less important ones later. This could also help people delete unwanted conversations and media. The company’s official blog post states that more options will be tested and rolled out in the future.  

Separate reports claim that WhatsApp is already beta testing a way for contacts to be designated as Favourites. That functionality could easily be tied into the new Filters bar. This would allow users to quickly jump to their most important or frequently needed conversations, and also quickly make voice calls. Favourites could also potentially be assigned different permissions for notifications, further helping users choose who they respond to urgently.

WhatsApp has recently been working on a string of usability and convenience improvements, such as text formatting, the ability to pin up to three messages in each chat, integrating Meta’s AI chatbot, more flexible voice chats, allowing higher-quality media, updated privacy settings, and more.