WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to create smaller groups from existing chats without having to add members again. This feature is part of several group-chat changes announced by the messaging service, which also include new controls for polls and an @all mention that can be used to alert everyone in a group. The new feature will enable users to continue discussions with selected members without disturbing the main group.
The new feature will be useful for large groups that are used for multiple purposes. For instance, a family with a large group can keep general updates in the main chat while those organising a particular event communicate in a separate group. Similarly, workmates can have a dedicated conversation to handle a specific task. This feature removes the extra step of creating a new group and adding participants individually.
WhatsApp has also added new controls for polls in group conversations. Poll creators can now set a deadline for voting, and the poll will close automatically once the specified time is reached. This feature will help groups that need to make a decision before a certain deadline. Additionally, users can choose to hide the identities of people who take part in a poll.
Another addition to the poll feature allows a poll question to be changed within 15 minutes after it is created. This short editing period gives users a chance to fix a mistake or make the question clearer. These updates come as WhatsApp continues to add tools for managing group chats that can include hundreds of participants and cover different subjects.
The new group feature should not be confused with a separate poll-related function that WhatsApp is reportedly developing. This feature, which is still being developed, would give poll creators the choice of whether members should be allowed to add new options to an existing poll. However, the confirmed feature allows users to select members from an existing group and create a new chat with those people.
The updates are part of a wider effort by WhatsApp to help people coordinate activities and make decisions within the platform. The messaging service has more than 3 billion users globally. With these new features, WhatsApp aims to make group chats more manageable and user-friendly.
The new features are being rolled out to WhatsApp users, who can expect to see the changes in their group chats. With the ability to create smaller groups and new controls for polls, users will have more flexibility and control over their group conversations.
Key points
- WhatsApp users can now create smaller groups from existing chats without adding members again.
- The new feature allows users to continue discussions with selected members without disturbing the main group.
- WhatsApp has also introduced new controls for polls, including the ability to set a deadline for voting and hide voter identities.
