WhatsApp has made it easier to find unread messages with new filters

While Apple refuses to bring iMessage to Android, third-party messaging apps remain the best option for many. Messaging between iPhone and Android phones will get better when RCS support arrives in iOS 18 later this year, but until then it’s all about apps like WhatsApp. While it’s far from the only option available for download via the App Store, the Meta* owned app is the first to come to mind for many — especially outside the United States. And it’s currently rolling out a new feature that will make it even more convenient to use.

A new feature is being introduced.

The new feature is designed to make it easier and faster to find the right chat topic by reducing the amount of clicking and scrolling required to do so. It does this by offering a filter, which is being rolled out to users now.

The new feature is designed to make it even easier and faster to find the right chat topic.

WhatsApp says the new filtering feature will be available to everyone in the coming weeks, which means it may take a while before it gets to your iPhone. But once it arrives, you can expect filters for three groups of messages, although there’s no option to create your own filter right now. WhatsApp hasn’t said whether the feature will appear in a future update, but it seems like the next logical step.

What’s more, WhatsApp hasn’t said whether the feature will be available in a future update.

Filtered Chats

WhatsApp announced a new message thread filter on its blog, stating that «as people are doing more and more on WhatsApp, it’s more important than ever to be able to quickly access their messages». It goes on to say that a new feature «Chat Filters» has been created for this very reason, meaning users will be able to find the chat they want «without having to scroll through their entire inbox».

Message thread filters».

Using the new filters is easy —just click one of three options that appear at the top of the chat list. These three options are self-explanatory, the default filter is «All». It will show all active topics, and unread and groups — the other two options, as WhatsApp explains:

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• Unread: Perfect for when you want to see which conversations you need to catch up on or reply to. This displays messages that you’ve either marked as unread or haven’t opened yet, so you can prioritize your replies.
• Groups: Back by popular demand, all of your group chats will now be organized in one place, making it easier to find your favorite topics, whether you’re discussing the weekly family dinner or planning your next vacation. Community subgroups will also be displayed.

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WhatsApp believes «the filters will help people stay organized, find the most important conversations and navigate through messages» more efficiently. The company also notes that it will continue to add new options to help people focus «on what matters most» but it’s not yet clear what those options will be.

WhatsApp also says it will continue to add new options to help people focus «on what matters most» but it’s not yet clear what those options will be.

You’ll need the latest version of WhatsApp to see the new filters, but be aware that it may take a while for them to propagate to your account. I don’t have them yet, but WhatsApp warns that it could take a few weeks for all users.

While I don’t have them yet, WhatsApp warns that it could take a few weeks for all users.

* Owned by Meta, it is recognized as an extremist organization in Russia and its activities are banned.