WhatsApp Group gets new features: Description, mentions and improved admin control

WhatsApp on Tuesday rolled out new features for Group users. Here’s how these new features work.

These features are available for Android and iOS users on WhatsApp. (WhatsApp)

WhatsApp has rolled out a number of new features this year. While most of the new features were focused at the one-on-one conversations and overall app in general, WhatsApp is now shifting its focus to group users as well. At the recently concluded F8 developer conference, parent company Facebook had announced plans to roll out video calling feature group users. Now, the company has launched a set of new group specific features.

New features aim to make the experience better for group users as well as give them more control on their groups. WhatsApp already has some nifty features which lets you remain in a group but at the same time avoid all the commotion it can become. You can mute WhatsApp groups for either 8 hours, a week or for a year and even block the notifications. Over the past few months WhatsApp has introduced new features for groups like making it difficult for users to be re-added to groups they've left.

Here's a look at the new features and updates WhatsApp has introduced for group chats. These features are available for Android and iOS users on WhatsApp.

Group description
Introduced this February, WhatsApp allows users to add descriptions to their groups. This feature can be found under 'Group Info'. Here, any group member can add a group description but the admin can restrict actions. The group description will appear on top of the chat sitting just below the group name. Group description is available for both iOS and Android users.

Group mentions
WhatsApp introduced mention '@' feature for group chats back in 2016. The feature didn't take off with the same functionality as Facebook did but it comes with better user facility now. You can now check on messages where you've been mentioned and reply directly. As you scroll through the unread group chats on WhatsApp you will see the '@' icon on the side. Tap on it to see the messages you've missed.

When you've been away from a group chat, you can catch up on messages that mention or reply to you by tapping on a new @ button. (WhatsApp)

When you've been away from a group chat, you can catch up on messages that mention or reply to you by tapping on a new @ button. (WhatsApp)

Participant search, admin controls
WhatsApp has also made it easier for people to search for group participants online. You can simply search for any participant by going to the 'Group Info' page.

WhatsApp has also started giving more control to group admins. In WhatsApp group admins now have the power to remove permissions for other group members. Some of these functions include changing the group subject, icon and description. At the same time group creators cannot be removed from the group they have started.