WhatsApp is rolling out a suite of new group chat features designed to make voting, alerts, and group planning more efficient. The update, announced globally on August 4, includes poll deadlines, anonymous voting, @all mentions, and a faster way to create new groups. The features will be available to users gradually over the coming weeks.
Anonymous WhatsApp Polls
Users can now create polls with a fixed voting deadline. Poll creators also have the option to hide voter names for added privacy when needed. Additionally, poll questions can be edited within 15 minutes of posting, allowing users to correct spelling mistakes or clarify questions without creating a new poll. These improvements aim to simplify group decisions and reduce redundant messages.
Quick Alerts with @all
The new @all mention feature lets users notify every group member with a single tag. This is particularly useful for urgent updates such as school closures, office changes, event deadlines, or sudden plan changes. For groups with more than 32 members, only admins can use the @all mention. The alert will appear even if the group is muted, though users have the option to mute @all notifications in their settings.
New Group Chats from Existing Groups
WhatsApp also allows users to create a new group from an existing group with just one tap. Members can start separate chats for event planning, projects, or private discussions without needing to add everyone again.
These features are designed to reduce clutter and make large group conversations easier to manage.