WhatsApp has rolled out a series of exciting new features aimed at enhancing user experience and interaction across its platform. As the world’s leading messaging app, with over two billion users, WhatsApp is continuously evolving to meet the diverse needs of its audience. The latest updates, introduced on May 9, 2025, focus on improving video calls, sticker organization, status interactions, and message management, all while ensuring user privacy.
One of the standout features is the ability to change backgrounds and apply filters during video calls. This new option allows users to personalize their video calls, making them more engaging and private. According to Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, users can select backgrounds such as "Blur, living room, office, cafeteria, pebbles, food lover, softness, beach, sunset, celebration, and forest." This is particularly useful for individuals who may be in public settings and wish to maintain their privacy during calls.
In addition to backgrounds, users can now enhance their video call aesthetics with filters that create a more cheerful environment. Filter options include "Warm, cold, black and white, light leak, reverie, prism light, fish eye, retro television, frosted glass, and duo tone." To activate these features, users simply need to tap on the effects icons located in the upper right corner of the video call screen.
WhatsApp has also made significant improvements to how users can manage their stickers. The new sticker organization feature allows users to create personalized folders, making it easier to find and use their favorite stickers. To create a sticker folder, users need to open a chat, access the stickers, click on the pencil icon, select up to 60 stickers, and then name and save the folder. This innovation aims to streamline the sticker experience, enhancing communication through more dynamic interactions.
Moreover, WhatsApp has introduced a new interactive sticker called "Your turn," which was previously available only on Instagram. This feature encourages users to post statuses that invite responses from their contacts. For example, a user can share a photo of their favorite sunset spot with the sticker "Your turn: show me your favorite corner," prompting others to share their own images. This fosters a more collaborative and engaging environment within the app.
In addition to these interactive features, WhatsApp has enhanced user engagement by allowing users to express their appreciation for statuses through a "Like" button. This feature notifies users when their statuses are liked by others, adding a layer of social interaction that was previously lacking.
Another exciting update is the introduction of private mentions in statuses, where users can mention up to five contacts privately, ensuring that only those mentioned are aware of the reference. Additionally, users can now add music to their statuses, selecting segments of songs up to 15 seconds with images and 60 seconds with videos, further enriching the status experience.
WhatsApp is also working on a groundbreaking feature to summarize unread messages using artificial intelligence. This function, which will show a button for summarizing new messages, aims to help users keep up with busy group chats without compromising their privacy. The summaries will be processed in a secure environment, ensuring that neither WhatsApp nor Meta can access the content. This feature will be particularly useful for those who participate in multiple group chats and need a quick way to catch up on conversations.
The summary function relies on a new characteristic called Private Processing, which guarantees that the original messages are not stored or shared externally. Users can request a summary of messages in group chats, and the consolidated messages will return to their devices without leaving a trace on external servers. However, this feature will not be available in chats with advanced privacy settings enabled, which restrict certain functionalities.
WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing user experience is evident in these updates, which aim to make interactions more fluid, organized, and dynamic. The app's focus on privacy and user-friendly features reflects its understanding of the evolving needs of its diverse user base.
As WhatsApp continues to innovate, users can expect even more enhancements that prioritize both engagement and privacy. With these new tools, WhatsApp is not only improving the way users communicate but also ensuring that their conversations remain secure and private. The future looks bright for WhatsApp users as they navigate a more interactive and personalized messaging experience.
