WhatsApp Hidden Features

Though the blue ticks you see next to WhatsApp messages can sometimes be useful, we don't always want to show someone that we've read their message. However, there is a solution: turn off your read receipts. 

Here’s how to do it: Head to Settings -> Account -> Privacy and then deselect the “Read Receipts” box. One caveat to this, though, is that the feature won’t disable the read receipts any group chats you happen to be in.

Yes, indeed, WhatsApp has a self-destructing messages feature, which protects sensitive information that you may send to other users by auto-deleting itself after some time. 

This setting is extremely easy to activate and can be done so by touching the name of the contact within the chat. From there, select the Messages option and turn on the Temporary Messages switch.

One of the most frustrating aspects of WhatsApp is that it auto-downloads images and videos from your chats when you come to view them. This is less than ideal for your phone's gallery, leaving it cluttered and disorderly.

Thankfully, this can be turned off by opening WhatsApp and then selecting Settings. Head to Media Auto-Download, where you will find three options: When Using Cellular Data, When Connected on Wi-Fi, and When Roaming. Disable auto-downloads by unchecking all three options, Images, Audio, and Video. 

Spicing up your in-chat text is easy in WhatsApp – you just have to know how to get there. Not only can you make accents with emoticons but with bold type, italics, and strikethrough.

If you do want your message in italics, then underscore signs on both sides of your _text_. Prefer to send your message in bold type? Use the star key on both sides of the *text*. Finally, if you want to strikethrough your message, opt for twiddles on both sides of the ~message~.

WhatsApp allows you to send photos and videos to contacts, as well as share a contact or document, but you can also send your location. This is very handy if you're meeting a friend somewhere, especially if you opt for Share Live Location, which allows your contact to see your Live Location for the duration you choose so they can track you. Duration times are set at 15 minutes, 1 hour or 8 hours.

iOS: Chat > Specific chat > Tap on "+" to the left of the message box > Location > Share Live Location > Select time frame.

Android: Chat > Specific chat > Tap on the paperclip to the right of the message box > Location > Share Live Location > Select time frame.

You can see everyone you are sharing your live location with by opening Settings > Account > Privacy > Live Location.

WhatsApp isn't limited to your mobile phone. There's a web app that syncs everything from your phone and there's a desktop app too. Go to https://web.whatsapp.com/ or download the desktop app from whatsapp.com/download/

You'll then need to open WhatsApp on your phone > Settings > WhatsApp Web/Desktop > Scan the QR code on the browser or Desktop app > Follow the instructions.

WhatsApp has a standard wallpaper, which will appear as a background on all of your chats. You can change this wallpaper though, with options including solid colours, your own photos as well as a collection of images from WhatsApp itself.

iOS: Settings > Chats > Chat Wallpaper > Choose Wallpaper Library, Solid Colours or Photos. 

Android: Settings > Chats > Chat Wallpaper > Choose Wallpaper Library, Solid Colours, Gallery, Default or No Wallpaper.

WhatsApp's last seen feature allows you to see when someone last checked WhatsApp, as well as allow users to see when you last checked. If a contact hasn't disabled last seen, it will appear under their name at the top of an open chat. To disable last seen:

iOS & Android: Settings > Account > Privacy > Last Seen > Switch to Nobody.