While there are many WhatsApp tips and tricks that you can use (check out our previous articles on best WhatsApp tips and tricks), we bring to you some lesser known features along with some best WhatsApp tips and tricks to help you master in the popular messaging service.
- How to edit WhatsApp picture messages You can now doodle on and edit pictures on WhatsApp before you send them. Thanks to the latest update. All you need to do is, open the conversation, then tap the camera icon next to the text-entry field as usual and choose an image from your gallery. Select one of the new icons at the top right of the display to crop the picture, add a sticker, enter text or draw a doodle. Just tap Send once done.
- How to tag people in WhatsApp messages Does a member of the WhatsApp group that you have created muted the conversation? Want to grab his or her attention? You can now do that by simply typing @ and select the name of the member from the list that appears.
- How to send animated GIFs The latest update (2.16.15 on iOS) to WhatsApp now allows you to send GIFs. This works even if your friend has the Android app. However, they won’t be able to reply with another GIF. To send a GIF, you need to press the + icon, and then Photo & Video Library. You can choose any video up to 6 seconds long, and can also 3D Touch on a Live photo from your Camera Roll, swipe up and choose Send as GIF. If you install the GIPHY Keys app from the Apple App Store, you can copy and paste a GIF from GIPHY (which has a huge searchable library). Once done, go to Settings > General > Keyboard and add a new keyboard. You will notice GIPHY Keys in the list. Select it, then tap on it and enable Allow Full Access. When you return to WhatsApp, switch to the other keyboard by pressing the world symbol, then search for your GIF. Tap on one to copy it, and paste it into the message.
- Backup and restore WhatsApp conversations WhatsApp provides the functionality to back up all your chats and media in case you change or lose your smartphone. This is automatically done once every few days/every week in most cases, but you can also make a manual backup if need be. To manually back up your messages on iOS, open the WhatsApp Settings menu and tap Chats > Chat Backup and tap ‘Back Up Now’ (select ‘Include videos’ if not already checked too). The backup should begin shortly after. However, it is a little different for Android users – Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and tap ‘Back Up’ to create a backup via WhatsApp servers, or log in with your Google account and backup via Google Drive. You can also simply uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to restore chats directly from a backup for whatever reason. After the reinstall, when you open the app you should be prompted to restore your most recent backup.
- Reply to messages via tablet, PC or Mac The popular messaging service with the introduction of WhatsApp Web, a web interface allows users to access their WhatsApp messages via an internet browser on an iPad, PC or Mac. Simply go to to web.whatsapp.comand on a PC or Mac and scan the QR code using the QR reader built into WhatsApp for iOS and Android. This will link your account with the PC/Mac and allow you to send and receive messages from your smartphone. For iPad users, it is a little different as using the WhatsApp Web in Safari is not a great experience. Developers have created WhatsApp Web ‘apps’ available on the App Store, which bring a nice user experience and even push notifications to iPad users.