{"id":134480,"date":"2019-04-16T21:09:31","date_gmt":"2019-04-16T19:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=134480"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:06:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:06:01","slug":"whatsapp-guide-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/whatsapp-guide-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide to WhatsApp in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WhatsApp\"<\/p>\n

WhatsApp has already been a news cycle staple in 2019, given Facebook\u2019s recent announcement to merge the app with Messenger and Instagram. <\/a>There\u2019s also the fake news issue and the recent release of WhatsApp Business for iOS.<\/p>\n

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Oh yeah, and the app just celebrated its 10th birthday in February. So far, this year has brought several new features into the mix, from playful stickers to better security protections.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is a look at just a few of the many new WhatsApp features to check out.<\/p>\n

WhatsApp upgrades: 2019 Edition<\/h2>\n

Sticker integration<\/h3>\n

WhatsApp rang in 2019 by adding stickers to the mix.<\/a> The app comes equipped with its own set of stickers, but you can also integrate third-party packs into your account for more options.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"whatsapp<\/p>\n

Unsend messages<\/h3>\n

Like Facebook, WhatsApp recently debuted an unsend feature that allows you to take back that stupid thing you sent.<\/strong> You\u2019ll have an hour to make up your mind and can choose to delete a message for yourself or for everyone.<\/strong> Like Facebook, that doesn\u2019t mean you can prevent someone from reading the initial message, but you can remove it from their feed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"whatsapp<\/p>\n

Listen to voice messages without headphones<\/h3>\n

Okay, fine, WhatsApp has always been able to play voice messages on the loudspeaker<\/strong>. What\u2019s different about this latest feature is, you now have the ability to listen to voice recordings as if it were a phone call<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

All you\u2019ll need to do is put it up to your ear and play the message. It will softly whisper the recording so no one else can hear it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check messages without going online<\/h3>\n

People will never know you left them on “read.”<\/p>\n

Unlike Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp now lets you view your messages without letting the sender know that you\u2019ve opened the message.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alternatively, they\u2019ve also made it easier to see who has reviewed the messages you\u2019ve sent to others. This might not be the healthiest way to engage with your messaging system, but WhatsApp’s resolution for 2019 is choices.<\/p>\n

\"whatsapp<\/p>\n

FaceID and TouchID Access<\/h3>\n

\"new<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the most exciting feature, but it is pretty heavy in demand. WhatsApp just added a new authentication feature to the stack for an extra layer of privacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Find it by tapping: WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy<\/strong><\/p>\n

It enables users to enable authentication before WhatsApp opens and shows your messages. It\u2019s a lot like banking apps<\/strong> where you need to provide Touch ID or FaceID to access your account. The benefit with the new feature is that if someone gets ahold of your unlocked phone, they can\u2019t access your chats.<\/p>\n

How relevant this is to you depends on what you\u2019re hoping to protect yourself from. If it\u2019s a matter of making sure the average stranger, your kids, or a nosy partner don\u2019t open your messages, it\u2019s pretty useful. Although, this is all assuming they don\u2019t know your PIN.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new with WhatsApp\u2019s battle against fake news?<\/h3>\n

Last year, the app faced some major challenges in India with backlash from citizens over the spread of misinformation. The problem was, WhatsApp\u2019s encrypted messaging<\/strong>\u00a0limited the company\u2019s ability to track the source of the problem.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year, WhatsApp said that it had refined its spam detection tool<\/strong>, making it easier to report bad actors. Still, it\u2019s hard to say whether there\u2019s been any impact so far.<\/p>\n

If you look on the app\u2019s FAQ page, WhatsApp makes some recommendations<\/a> for avoiding spam and hoax messages. It states that they have the right to ban users<\/strong> who they believe are in violation of the app\u2019s terms of service.<\/p>\n

Finally, the platform rolled out the WhatsApp tip line. It is a reporting tool that allows users to report misinformation<\/strong><\/a>. As of now, the feature is only available to users based in India \u2014 and it’s unclear when or if this is coming to the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

\"tip<\/p>\n

Group chats are now more secure<\/h3>\n

\"new<\/p>\n

Another brand new feature for the platform is an additional privacy setting for group chats<\/strong>. Group chats now come with the following options:<\/p>\n