10 Cool, Useful WhatsApp Tricks You Must Try

WhatsApp is now the most popular messaging app in the world, it has a stable stream of updates, a bunch of features, and it supports a lot of devices. All things combined, the platform has earned itself over a billion users from every part of the world. And as the platform gets updated regularly, no matter how often you use it, you may still miss out on several cool tricks that can optimize your experience using it. Check out this list and try out all these WhatsApp tricks with us.

Prevent the app from downloading using mobile data

This is one of the most useful WhatsApp tricks and tips as it can help you save mobile data. You can save data in several ways and still get messages as well as notifications from the app. Firstly, you need to stop the app from downloading media using mobile data. To do this, head to Settings, then open Data and storage usage, and open When using mobile data.

This section is where you can check and uncheck the app’s ability to use mobile data to download documents, videos, photos. Once you’re done, the app cannot download files unless you tap on the file.

Reduce data consumption

While WhatsApp calls are helpful, they consume much of your mobile data if you use them a lot. Fortunately, you can improve this on your own, by heading to Settings, then open Data and storage usage before visiting Low data usage. Now, put a tick in the box for lowering data consumption in a call.

Send chat logs to another person

If you want to send a chat log to someone, you can email it through the platform. First, head to Settings, now you open Chats and then Chat history. Next, tap on “email chat,” and you will see your chat menu from which you can choose a contact or a group.

After finish choosing, you need to decide if you want to include media or send text and emojis only, you should go with the second option. Now, you will be redirected to your email app, where the chat log is sitting in a draft message.

Enable two-step verification

WhatsApp, by default, asks for your phone numbers along with a one-time PIN each time you change device. But two-step verification can better prevent attackers from accessing your account on a new device.

To start using this verification, head to Settings, open Account and tap on Two-step verification. Now, the app will ask you to create a 6-digit PIN to use each time you add the app to a different device. You can also add in your email address in case you lost your PIN.

Know who has read your message in a group chat

This is among the more practical WhatsApp tips and tricks you can use, just press and hold your message until it’s highlighted. Next, tap on the three-dot menu and select “info.” Here, you will see the contacts that have and haven’t read your message.

Let someone know your location

This trick is simple to use yet handy in many situations. To send a location pin, in the message field, find and tap on the paper clip icon, then tap on “location.”

If you want a family member or a trusted friend to track where you’re going in real-time, tap on the paper clip again, open Location and select Share Live location, and provide the time period you want to be tracked, 15 minutes at least and 8 hours at most. You can also end location tracking manually even if time hasn’t run out.

Customize notifications for a contact

There may be too many contacts in your list and the messages may get piled up and custom notification can help reduce the burden.

First, choose the contact you want to modify and enter the chat. Now, tap on their name and select “custom notifications.” Next, tick the box “use custom notifications” and customize the alert by scrolling down till you see the next field. Options for customization include changing the color of the LED notifications and changing the tone of messages.

Sign up for beta access

If you want to be among the first users to get their hands on the newest features, you should join the beta program. But you will also have to take risk of encountering bugs and flaws.

If you still want to access the beta program, head to WhatsApp’s page on the Play Stor and find a section called “become a beta tester” which lies at the bottom. Tap on “I’m in” and you will get enrolled in the program.

Similar to getting an app update from the Play Store, you just need to tap on “update” to get the beta version. To leave the beta program, just tap on “leave.”

Stop someone from knowing you have read their message

This feature, indicated with blue ticks, tells someone that their messages have been seen. However, if you want to dodge contacts, use this WhatsApp text tricks. Just disable read receipts by opening Settings, then visit Account, and tap on Privacy. All’s left to do is unticking “Read receipts.”

But note that once you do this, you won’t see if the other person has read your messages either.

Add a contact to your home screen

The platform also lets users add contacts to the home screen, which is great for keeping your chat buddies always in sight. To do this, open the group or contact you want to add to the home screen, now tap on the three-dot menu which lies in the top right of the interface. Next, head to More and tap on Add shortcut. Lastly, tap on “add” and the contact will stay on your home screen.

There are a lot more WhatsApp tricks you can try on your device to make the most out of the platform, so don't forget to update tricks and tips regularly.