WhatsApp is building a smart chat list for mentions and replies
WhatsApp is working on a smart filter that lists chats where someone mentioned the user or replied to one of their messages. Users will find the new filter in the chat list on Android, and its name is "To You". The feature will make it easier for users to find the conversations where someone interacted with them.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | To You filter for the chat list |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out a new chat theme update for iOS! |
WhatsApp redesigned the chat list interface on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.20.2 update, we announced a redesigned interface for chat filters. The update introduced a new system that separates frequently used filters from others. Users can choose to move their lists into a separate section called "More". With this update, it is also possible to remove the Favorites filter from the main chat list. As a result, users have now more control over which filters appear at the top of the Chats tab. The redesign makes the chat list more organized for users who rely on multiple filters.
WhatsApp is working on a new filter for mentions and replies
WhatsApp keeps working on improving the chat list with new filters. Today, WhatsApp is developing a new feature that would give users a dedicated place where they can find their conversations where others mentioned them. We discovered the news with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.34.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp is working on a filter that shows all chats where someone mentioned or replied to the user. This will make it simpler for users to find the conversations that need their attention.
What the To You filter shows in the chat list
WhatsApp is developing a new smart filter for the chat list called "To You". It will let users quickly locate their chats that contain mentions and replies. When someone mentions a user in a group chat, WhatsApp will automatically show this conversation in the new list. The same happens when someone quotes one of the user's messages and sends a reply. The filter lists both interactions in one place, so users do not have to scroll through their group chats to find where others mentioned them. Note that this filter will be optional. This means that users can choose to keep it in the main chat list or move it to the separate section.
How the To You filter differs from other chat filters
The current filters in the chat list organize conversations by categories. Instead of organizing chats by type, the new filter only shows the ones where someone specifically directed a message at the user. Groups and community chats could appear in this list at the same time, as long as someone mentioned or replied to the user in those conversations. This makes it a cross-category filter rather than a structural one.
Why a dedicated filter for mentions and replies is useful
In a very active group chat, a mention or a direct reply can easily get lost among many other messages. Users who check their phone a few hours after being mentioned may have to scroll through their chat list for quite some time to find the right conversation. The new filter will address this issue by showing these interactions in a dedicated list. Users can tap it and see every conversation where someone interacted with them directly, without opening their chats and searching manually. For anyone who is part of active groups, this will save a noticeable amount of time.
The To You filter complements the existing notification system
WhatsApp already sends notifications when someone mentions a user or replies directly to their message. The new filter is not a replacement for those notifications since it works in a different way. Users can still rely on notifications when they receive a mention or a reply. However, they disappear as soon as the user opens the app. The filter is always there when users need it, so they can always find all these interactions in one place. Even after clearing their notifications, users will be able to filter the chats where they are mentioned by opening this list.
WhatsApp is developing the new smart filter for a future Android update
The new smart filter for the chat list is currently under development on Android. This feature is not available to beta testers yet. We expect WhatsApp to make it available to users in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp has not shared an official timeline for its public release.
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