WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.5.12.
What’s new in this update? The push name replaces the phone number within the chat list when you receive a message from an unknown contact in a group chat, for some beta testers!
Common questions | Answers |
---|---|
Name of the feature? | Push name within the chat list |
Status? | Rolling out |
Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.5.12 is marked as a compatible update, but some users may be able to get the same feature after installing the 2.23.5.11 beta version. |
I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature has been released to some beta testers and more activations are planned over the coming days. |
Thanks: | Ace24, GoldenPizza, and iasad12, for testing and reporting! |
How to join the community on WhatsApp? | WABetaInfo Community |
Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.5.0.73: what’s new? The push name replaces the phone number within the chat list when you receive a message from an unknown contact in a group chat! |
PUSH NAME WITHIN THE CHAT LIST
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.25.10 update, we announced that WhatsApp was rolling out a feature that gives more priority to the push name over the phone number by swapping phone numbers and push names within the message bubble in group chats. Thanks to this feature, WhatsApp was making it even easier to recognize messages from unknown contacts within your group chats. Today, after releasing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.5.12 update from the Play Store, WhatsApp is rolling out an improvement for the feature by bringing the same changes within the chat list:

As you can see in this screenshot, every time you get a message from an unknown contact in a group chat, the push name now appears instead of the phone number within the chat list. This change definitely makes it easier for the recipient to understand who the unknown contact is without having to save the number as a new contact and it is especially useful in large group chats where it can be difficult to identify unknown group members. Note that the push name may appear instead of the phone number even in different sections of the app, for example, the group participants list.
In addition, the same feature has also been released to some iOS beta testers after installing the WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.5.0.73 update. As mentioned in our article about iOS, this does not imply that the phone number is hidden for group members as it is still visible within the chat bubble.
This feature is available for some beta testers that install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Play Store, and it is expected to be released to even more people over the coming days.
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