WhatsApp is working on a host of interesting features. The messaging app was recently spotted testing a new feature which would mute groups with more than 256 participants. WhatsApp has rolled out the feature to beta testers, who are on the current version of WhatsApp beta. This means that the feature is yet to be launched to all users. WhatsApp recently made the Communities feature official. The feature is an extension of the groups and lets you add more people.
Wabetainfo, which tracks all the WhatsApp-related activities, spotted the feature in the beta version of the messaging app. “The ability to automatically mute large group chats to help reduce notifications has been released to some beta testers and it is rolling out to more users over the coming days,” the report said.
WhatsApp recently rolled out the ability to add 1024 people to a group. While this can be convenient for many, this can also be chaotic for some. So, if you are a part of a group which has more than 256 participants, the group will be muted automatically. However, if you do not want to mute the notifications, you always have the option of unmuting the group.
“WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.24.15 is marked as a compatible update but some lucky beta testers may also receive this feature after installing one of these updates: 2.22.24.9, 2.22.24.10, 2.22.24.11, and 2.22.24.14,” the report said. All the beta testers who update to the latest beta version will get the feature, but if you haven’t received the feature yet, you can wait for a future update.
On a related note, WhatsApp rolled out Communities for its iOS and Android app. The web users can also use the Communities feature. WhatsApp Communities will let users bring groups with similar interests under one roof. You can use related groups in one place, you can connect with your schools, neighborhood, camps and more.For iOS users, the Community tab appears right next to chats, settings option the whereas on WhatsApp Web, you can find the community at the top right of your screen.
Notably, a user can add up to 50 groups in addition to the announcement group. Up to 5000 members can be added to the announcement group. Groups are open for any community member to join.
