WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is preparing to launch a new feature designed to improve user interactions by highlighting recently active contacts. This feature, currently in beta testing, will make it easier for users to quickly start conversations with those they’ve recently engaged with.
According to reports from WABetaInfo, the new feature is part of WhatsApp’s efforts to refine the user experience and improve communication efficiency. The feature will show a curated list of contacts who have been active recently, rather than displaying all online contacts. This will help users identify those available for communication, making it simpler to start a chat or initiate a call.
The addition aligns with WhatsApp’s goal of streamlining how users connect with friends, family, and colleagues. By prioritizing recent activity, the feature enhances the platform’s usability, enabling users to easily reach out to those who are likely to be available.
In addition to this update, WhatsApp has been focused on enhancing security with new features. In November of the previous year, the platform introduced a chat lock feature that allows users to protect sensitive conversations with a secret code. However, this feature was limited to the primary device, leaving chats accessible on linked devices.
To address this, WhatsApp is reportedly working on an update that will extend the chat lock functionality to all linked devices, ensuring that locked chats remain secure across multiple platforms. WABetaInfo has indicated that the latest beta version includes this update, allowing users to lock chats on both their primary device and any linked ones by using a secret code through updated privacy settings.