The 9 best WhatsApp features in 2020

WhatsApp has evolved in particular in 2020, these are the main new features added. Haven’t tried them yet?

Written by Beatriz Alcántara on WhatsApp

Last updated the 31/12/2020 at 21:03

If you follow the news related to WhatsApp, you will know that the platform is evolving with the constant introduction of new functions. Now that 2020 is about to end, it’s time to look back and recap everything the messaging platform has added in these 12 months.

Then we tell you what they are the best features that came to WhatsApp in 2020. If you still don’t know some of them, you are in time to find out about them to get the most out of them.

From improved message search functions to easier ways to add other users to a dedicated mobile payment service, the new WhatsApp tools are very varied. Let’s get to know them!

These are the best features added by WhatsApp in 2020.

Codes QR

It was in May 2020 when we knew that WhatsApp was working on a tool that would add contacts by scanning a QR code. We had little time to wait to take advantage of this feature, which became official a few days later.

You no longer need to give your phone number to someone else to add yourself to WhatsApp, just share your profile QR code so that you are added to their contact list.

To use this function, click on the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the app and tap on “Settings”. To the right of your profile picture, you will see the QR code icon you need to click.

This way you will access the QR code that other users must read to add your profile, as well as the option “Scan code”, which will allow you to add other users yours. Without a doubt, this is one of the most useful functions added by WhatsApp in 2020, so don’t wait any longer to use it to share your profile with more people who use the app.

This is what QR codes look like in WhatsApp to add more profiles.

Silence all conversation forever

We asked for it a lot and it became a reality in 2020. Now you can to always turn off notifications from any chat WhatsApp, including groups with dozens of people in which messages become a nightmare that never ends.

To silence your WhatsApp chats forever, you need to select a conversation by clicking on it, click on the speaker icon in the top bar, and in the window that appears, select the option “Always”.

So you can forget about the cats that cause you the most problems on the messaging platform, which are usually the busiest groups. If you want to ignore these conversations even more, you can also hide WhatsApp chats to send them in the archived section.

You can now mute the sound to chat forever ???? pic.twitter.com/DlH7jAt6P8

– WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) October 23, 2020

Video calls up to 8 people

WhatsApp video calling has gained special relevance and utility during the lockdown suffered by the coronavirus in 2020. The limit of four participants hurts to the platform compared to services such as Zoom, capable of enabling meetings of up to 1000 people.

For this reason, WhatsApp installed the batteries and started to develop this function. Finally, in May, it became official: WhatsApp video calls had a new limit of 8 participants. In this way, you can create a video call meeting and invite seven other people.

Know more: How to make video calls with up to 8 people on WhatsApp

New storage management functionality

2020 was also the year in which WhatsApp added a new storage management feature for users who need to free up space on their mobile. While this is a tool you won’t use as often as video calling, for example, it’s appreciated that the service integrates it into quickly delete large or old files.

To free up space in WhatsApp with this new function, you must enter the application settings, click on “Storage and data” and then on “Manage storage space”.

In this section, you can see how much storage on your mobile is occupied by WhatsApp media files and find out what are the biggest elements and those that were transmitted the most often, knowing which conversations take up the most space.

In this way you will have complete information about the files stored in WhatsApp and you can use them for delete items you don’t need to free up space on the phone.

The new tool to free up WhatsApp space.

Advanced message search

Don’t you often find yourself wanting to find an old message on WhatsApp and you can’t? The managers of the platform know that this is a common problem among its users, and that’s why they wanted improve message search in 2020.

On the one hand, WhatsApp has integrated an advanced search function via the magnifying glass icon that appears in the upper right part of the application. From here you can search for specific terms and select what type of message is it (photos, videos, links, GIFs, audio or documents).

After performing the search, WhatsApp will show you all related results divided by the categories mentioned above.

Animated stickers

One of the differences between WhatsApp and Telegram before 2020 was the presence of animated stickers on this latest messaging platform. This inequality ended in June 2020, when WhatsApp launched its first animated sticker pack.

In this way, you can now use static and animated stickers to give a point of fun and movement to your conversations. If you haven’t used these stickers on WhatsApp yet, you can easily download them from the stickers tab of the application.

Dark mode in the app and on the web

Without a doubt, one of the best news about WhatsApp in 2020 was Dark Mode, which reached both the mobile app and WhatsApp web. No more eye problems when using the messaging platform in poorly lit places, turn on night mode and the interface will have dark tones with which you can converse more comfortably.

To activate WhatsApp dark mode on Android, open the app and go to its settings. Then click on “Cats” and in “Topic”, and select the option “Dark”. The app will automatically adopt a dark blue tone with which you can read conversations better.

To activate dark mode in WhatsApp Web, click on the three dots icon in the top left and, in the options menu that appears, tap on “Settings”. Then click on the section “Theme” and check the “Dark” box so that the interface becomes more muted tones.

Messages that self-destruct

Privacy is the key to self-destructing messages, one of the most innovative features introduced by the platform today.

It is a tool that the user can activate so that all messages sent from that moment on in a specific conversation are automatically deleted after 7 days. In the case of groups, administrators will be responsible for enabling this function so that messages shared there are temporary.

Regarding this function, there are some important exceptions that we must mention, like the fact that the messages will not be deleted if they have been cited or transmitted to another cat.

Know more: WhatsApp tips to make your life easier

Payments on WhatsApp

Payments in WhatsApp chats for Android.

We end with one of the most surprising new features of WhatsApp in 2020: its payment service. After many rumors and tests, the platform has officially integrated a tool for send and receive money through the app.

Although the WhatsApp payment service varies slightly in each country, there are a number of details in common: the user who wants to use it you will need a bank account and a credit or debit card associated with your name. In addition, a personal PIN code from the UPI system will be required to complete a transaction.

At the moment, the WhatsApp payment service is available in countries like Brazil and India, although it is expected that become a global option in the coming months. Before they arrive in your country, consider what to keep in mind about paying on WhatsApp to avoid possible scams.

And so far the best functions introduced by WhatsApp in 2020. As you have seen, these are various tools aimed at providing a better user experience. We hope the courier continue to grow in 2021 with new features why it is worth continuing to use the platform.

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