Guide: WhatsApp Tips & Tricks 15 useful features worth using

WhatsApp has many more features than simply sending messages, photos and videos. Some of them can help you protect your account, control privacy, organise chats and use the app more efficiently.

In this guide you will find 15 useful WhatsApp features and tricks on Android and iPhone, as well as several options available when using WhatsApp on PC.

1. Enable disappearing messages

Disappearing messages can be useful for conversations where you do not want new messages to remain permanently in the chat.

Depending on the options available in your version of WhatsApp, disappearing messages can be set for certain periods of time.

To check this feature, open the desired conversation, tap the contact name and look for the option Disappearing messages.

You can also check the default setting for new conversations in the WhatsApp privacy area.

2. Protect important conversations

WhatsApp offers the possibility to protect certain conversations using the phone authentication mechanism.

Depending on the device, this can be a PIN, password, fingerprint or facial recognition.

This feature is useful if other people may have access to your unlocked phone and there are conversations you want to protect additionally.

3. Check linked devices

If you have used WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp app on PC, it is recommended to periodically check the devices connected to your account.

Open WhatsApp and go to the section Connected devices.

There you can see the devices where your account is logged in and you can remove sessions you no longer use.

If you notice a device you do not recognise, log out of it.

4. Enable two-step verification

Two-step verification provides an extra layer of protection for your WhatsApp account.

Open Settings → Account → Two-step verification, if this structure is available in your version of WhatsApp.

Follow the instructions displayed in the app to set up the protection.

Important: do not share verification codes received for your WhatsApp account with other people.

5. Control who can see your information

From your privacy settings, you can control who can see certain information associated with your account.

You can check settings for:

• last seen;
• online status;
• profile photo;
• About info;
• statuses;
• groups you can be added to;
• calls from unknown numbers.

To check these options, go to Settings → Privacy.

6. Silence calls from unknown numbers

If you frequently receive WhatsApp calls from numbers you do not have in your contacts, you can check the option to reduce notifications from unknown callers.

Go to Settings → Privacy → Calls and check the available option for calls from unknown numbers.

This feature can be useful if you receive unwanted calls and do not want your phone to ring every time.

7. Use message reactions

You do not always have to reply to a message with text.

You can use a reaction to quickly convey that you have seen the message or to express a reaction.

On your phone, tap and hold the message and select the desired reaction.

8. Edit sent messages

If you made a mistake in a message, WhatsApp allows editing certain messages after sending them, within the period permitted by the app.

To check if the message can be modified, press and hold the message and look for the option Edit.

After modification, the message will be marked as edited.

9. Delete a message for everyone

If you sent a wrong message or to a conversation it was not supposed to reach, you can check if the option is available Delete for everyone.

Press and hold the message, tap the delete icon and select the available option to delete the message for all participants.

Note that this option is not identical to Delete for me. If you delete the message just for yourself, it may remain visible to other participants.

10. Hide message content from notifications

If you do not want WhatsApp messages to be displayed on your phone's lock screen, you can change your notification settings.

Depending on your phone, these settings can be accessed from:

Phone settings → Notifications → WhatsApp

Look for options related to displaying notification content on the lock screen.

11. Use WhatsApp on your PC

If you write many messages or frequently work on your computer, WhatsApp can also be used on your PC.

You can use WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp application available for computers.

To connect, open the section Connected devices on your phone and follow the steps displayed on your computer.

Once you stop using a computer, check the list of connected devices and log out of sessions you no longer use.

12. Use search to quickly find information

If you have a lot of conversations, you do not need to manually search for an old message.

Use the WhatsApp search feature to quickly find words or phrases from your conversations.

You can search for, for example:

• a phone number;
• an address;
• a name;
• a price;
• a link;
• a product name;
• information discussed previously.

13. Never share the verification code

The code received via SMS or another method for verifying your WhatsApp account is important information for account security.

If someone asks you for this code, do not share it.

An attacker may try to trick you into sharing the code to gain access to your account.

If you receive a verification code without having tried to register your account on another device, check your account security and connected devices immediately.

14. Check privacy settings

WhatsApp includes tools to help you check multiple privacy settings from a single place.

Go to Settings → Privacy and check the options available in the version installed on your phone.

It is recommended to check these settings periodically, especially after installing a new version of the app.

15. Periodically check account security

A quick account check can prevent issues caused by forgotten sessions or incorrectly configured privacy settings.

Periodically check:

• connected devices;
• two-step verification;
• privacy settings;
• who can add you to groups;
• unknown call settings;
• WhatsApp notifications;
• installed app version.

Bonus: Use the official WhatsApp version

Avoid modified WhatsApp apps or unofficial versions that promise extra features.

For security and updates, install the app from the official source available for your device.

Quick checklist

After going through these Tips & Tricks, check the following:

• Have you checked connected devices?
• Have you enabled additional account protection?
• Have you checked your privacy settings?
• Do you know how to edit a message?
• Do you know how to delete a message for everyone?
• Have you configured notifications?
• Do you know how to use WhatsApp on PC?

Do you need help?

If you have issues with installing, configuring, updating, or operating apps on your phone or PC, iTechServiceTM can help you with software diagnostics and configuration.

View services software.

Related guides

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• Guide: Google Maps Tips & Tricks: 15 useful features worth using
• Guide: Tips&Tricks – 10 important settings on Android and iPhone worth checking

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