WhatsApp Plus is testing Focus schedules for chat lists
WhatsApp is developing a new feature for WhatsApp Plus that lets users control when they get notified about specific chat lists. Users will be able to automatically mute or hide certain chats outside of allowed times. This gives premium subscribers a smarter tool to manage their attention without manually muting and unmuting their conversations.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Focus schedules for chat lists |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp officially launches parental controls for teens! |
WhatsApp Plus rolled out custom emoji reactions on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.38.1 update, we announced custom emoji reactions for premium subscribers. With this feature, subscribers can replace the six default emojis in the reaction tray with ones that they prefer. Users can replace them from the app settings and the emoji keyboard. This is another functionality available in the second set of benefits for the Plus plan.
WhatsApp is now developing Focus schedules for Plus subscribers
WhatsApp keeps improving the second set of premium features, and the next one is about chat management. Focus schedules will let subscribers decide when they want to be notified about chats in a specific list. We discovered this with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.39.9 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. In particular, WhatsApp is testing Focus schedules, a feature that lets Plus subscribers set notification windows for their chat lists. Outside of allowed times, WhatsApp can automatically mute or hide chats without any manual action from the user.
How to set up a Focus schedule for a chat list
Users can create a Focus schedule right within the list settings. Here, they can tap "New schedule" to create one. WhatsApp asks for a list name and lets users add the chats or groups to include. In a future update, users will also be able to set the allowed times. This means that users can decide when notifications from the list are active. Users will also be able to add multiple time windows to the same list.
What happens during and outside allowed times
During the allowed times, users can receive notifications and interact with these conversations without any restrictions. Outside the allowed times, WhatsApp will apply the rules the user set up during configuration. Users will be able to choose to mute their chats automatically. This will silence notifications without hiding the conversations from the chat list. Users will also b able to hide their conversations from the chat list. These features are optional, so users will have to decide which one to enable.
How Focus schedules work with multiple lists
Premium subscribers will be able to create different schedules for different lists. For example, someone might have a "Work" list with a schedule set to Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM, and a list with their friend where the schedule is set to evenings and weekends. When work hours end, WhatsApp would mute the Work list automatically. When the weekend starts, the Friends list becomes active again. Users will be able to manage their schedules from the list settings.
Why Focus schedules fit naturally into WhatsApp Plus
WhatsApp Plus is a premium plan that offers more personalization than the standard app. The first set included exclusive stickers and ringtones, custom app icon, app themes, and the ability to pin more chats. With Focus schedules, WhatsApp will add another layer of personalization to the premium plan. Instead of constantly muting and unmuting multiple chats manually, subscribers will be able to decide when the app should do it automatically. This will make it easier for users to manage multiple conversations.
WhatsApp is developing Focus schedules for a future Android update
The ability to create a focus schedule is currently under development. Since it is in development, it's not available to beta testers. WhatsApp will release it to users in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp has not announced when it will be available to the public.
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