WhatsApp developing message threads to simplify chats
What's the story
WhatsApp is working on a new feature to categorize responses to specific messages, making it easier to track conversations.
The feature will save users from scrolling through chats to find individual replies. It will offer a dedicated view showing every quoted message linked back to the original one that started the thread.
The threaded messages feature was spotted in WhatsApp's Android beta 2.25.7.7 update by WABetaInfo and is under development with no testing date yet.
Compatibility
It will be available for various chat types
The upcoming threads feature is likely to work with individual conversations, group chats, communities, and channels. However, do note that the option to respond in channels is still in the works.
A screenshot from WABetaInfo gives a sneak peek into how these threaded messages would appear when the feature is rolled out.
The image shows a full-screen pop-up displaying responses sent by multiple users in a group discussion.
Functionality
How will the feature work?
According to the screenshot, users will be able to tap on any quoted message in a thread to see all responses related to that chain.
However, it seems the original message being responded to may not be visible in this threaded view.
The feature could change before its official release but this preview gives an idea of what users can expect from it.
Release date
No specific timeline for the feature's release
As of now, there's no word on when the threads feature will be accessible to all WhatsApp users.
The introduction of this feature marks a major change and should prove useful for those who use WhatsApp frequently to plan things with large groups or often scroll through older message replies.