WhatsApp Hidden Features You Must Try Today: The Ultimate Guide (2026)

WhatsApp is no longer just a simple messaging app; it has evolved into a global communication powerhouse used by over 2.7 billion people. Whether you use it for business, education, or keeping up with family, you likely open the app dozens of times a day. But are you using it to its full potential?

At Meriweb.net, we love uncovering technology tips that make your life easier. While most users stick to basic texting and calling, WhatsApp is packed with “hidden” features, privacy hacks, and productivity tools that sit right under your nose.

In this guide, we dive deep into the best WhatsApp hidden features you need to try today to boost your privacy, enhance media quality, and streamline your digital communication.

1. Master Your Privacy: The “Ghost Mode” Features

Privacy is the hottest topic in tech right now. WhatsApp has rolled out several features recently that allow you to go incognito or protect sensitive information from prying eyes.

The “Chat Lock” Feature

This is arguably the most significant privacy update in recent years. If you hand your phone to someone to show a photo, you might worry about a sensitive message popping up. Chat Lock solves this.

It allows you to move specific conversation threads into a separate “Locked Chats” folder that can only be accessed via your device’s biometric authentication (fingerprint or Face ID) or passcode.

• How to use it: Tap on the name of the contact or group at the top of the chat > Scroll down to Chat Lock > Toggle it on.
• Why use it: It ensures that your most private conversations remain private, even if your phone is unlocked.

Silence Unknown Callers

Are you tired of spam calls from international numbers or unknown businesses? WhatsApp now has a built-in spam filter.

• How to use it: Go to Settings > Privacy > Calls > Toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.
• The Result: Your phone won’t ring, but the call will appear in your call log so you can check if it was important later.

Stealth Mode: Hide “Online” Status

For years, users could hide their “Last Seen,” but being “Online” was always visible. Now, you can reply to messages without the whole world knowing you are active.

• How to use it: Go to Settings > Privacy > Last Seen & Online. Under “Who can see when I’m online,” select Same as last seen.

2. Productivity Hacks for Power Users

Whether you are managing a small business or coordinating a study group, efficiency is key. These tricks will turn you into a WhatsApp power user.

Message Yourself (The Digital Notepad)

Stop creating fake groups with just you in them. WhatsApp now officially supports “messaging yourself.” This is a game-changer for sending quick notes, grocery lists, or transferring photos from your phone to your computer (via WhatsApp Web).

• How to use it: Start a new chat and tap your own name (listed as You) at the top of the contacts list. Pin this chat to the top for easy access.

Edit Sent Messages

We’ve all been there: you hit send and immediately spot a typo. Previously, you had to delete the message or send a follow-up with an asterisk (*). Now, you have a 15-minute window to edit sent texts.

• How to use it: Long-press the sent message > Tap the three dots (menu) > Select Edit.
• Note: The message will display a small “Edited” tag, transparency is maintained, but your typo is gone.

Pin Important Messages in Chats

In a busy group chat or a long conversation with a client, vital information (like an address or a meeting time) often gets buried. You can now pin a specific message to the top of the chat window for 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days.

• How to use it: Long-press the specific message > Select Pin > Choose the duration.

3. Media Mastery: Send Content in High Definition

One of the biggest complaints about WhatsApp was how aggressively it compressed photos and videos, turning beautiful memories into pixelated blurs. That ends now.

Send HD Photos and Videos

WhatsApp has finally introduced an HD toggle. You no longer need to attach photos as “Documents” to preserve quality.

• How to use it: Select a photo or video to send from your gallery. Before hitting the blue send button, look for the “HD” icon at the top of the editing screen. Tap it and select HD Quality.
• Pro Tip: Standard quality is still the default to save data, so you must select this manually for every high-quality image you send.

Instant Video Messages

Voice notes are great, but sometimes you want to convey emotion. Instant Video Messages are circular, 60-second video snippets that record and send directly in the chat, playing automatically on mute until tapped.

• How to use it: Tap the microphone icon (it switches to a video camera icon) > Hold to record > Release to send.
• Vibe: It feels much more personal and immediate than attaching a pre-recorded video file.

4. Desktop and Multi-Device Freedom

In the era of remote work and education, we are often glued to our laptops. WhatsApp’s multi-device capability has improved drastically.

Use One Account on Four Phones

Do you carry a work phone and a personal phone? You can now link the same WhatsApp account to up to four additional smartphones, not just computers.

• How to use it: On the secondary phone, download WhatsApp. On the setup screen, tap the three dots > Link as companion device. Scan the QR code using your primary phone (Settings > Linked Devices).
• Benefit: All chats sync perfectly. You can switch phones seamlessly without losing context.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts (WhatsApp Web)

If you use WhatsApp on a computer, stop using your mouse for everything. Use these shortcuts to fly through your inbox:

• Ctrl + N (Cmd + N): New Chat
• Ctrl + Shift + [ (Cmd + Shift + [): Previous Chat
• Ctrl + Shift + ] (Cmd + Shift + ]): Next Chat
• Ctrl + E (Cmd + E):Archive Chat
• Ctrl + Shift + M (Cmd + Shift + M): Mute Chat

5. The “Oops” Feature: Undo “Delete for Me”

This is a subtle but life-saving feature.

Have you ever wanted to delete a message for everyone in a group, but accidentally hit “Delete for Me”? Previously, you were doomed—the message remained for everyone else, and you couldn’t see it to delete it again.

Now, when you hit “Delete for Me,” a small banner appears at the bottom of the screen for 5 seconds with an Undo button. Tap it quickly, restore the message, and then properly select “Delete for Everyone.”

6. Text Formatting Magic

Make your messages stand out. While not a “new” feature, many users still don’t know they can format text to add emphasis, which is great for business announcements or study notes.

• Bold: Add an asterisk on both sides: *Hello* becomes Hello.
• Italic: Add an underscore on both sides: _Hello_ becomes Hello.
• Strikethrough: Add a tilde on both sides: ~Hello~ becomes Hello.
• Monospace: Add three backticks: Hello changes the font to a typewriter style.
• Bulleted Lists: Start a line with a hyphen and a space (- Item).
• Numbered Lists: Start a line with a number and a dot (1. Item).

Conclusion: Elevate Your Digital Life

WhatsApp is constantly evolving. By utilizing features like Chat Lock, HD Media, and Message Editing, you aren’t just messaging; you are curating a more secure, professional, and high-quality communication experience.

Technology should work for you, not the other way around. At Meriweb.net, we are committed to bringing you the latest in Tech, Education, Business, and Lifestyle to help you stay ahead of the curve.