I recognize that since the last major overhaul of WhatsApp, I missed a lot of the Meta email app. Lately new icons have kept arriving in the application – I have the beta after several attempts to access it and I receive them before – which I have not understood. I'm speaking in the past tense because I've caught up and can clear up any doubts in case you're as confused as I am.
A padlock, two different microphones, a double arrow… If you don't understand the meaning of these badges that appear within the application, continue reading: They are very usefulas well as information. And it doesn't hurt to follow in the footsteps of WhatsApp, an application relentless in its development.
WHATSAPP Tips and tricks to hide as much as possible and preserve your CONFIDENTIALITY
All the icons that arrive on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is changing like life itself: what used to be an empty space at the bottom of WhatsApp is now a very pretty little button. He app redesign Meta has brought more clarity to the interface, just as it has brought it closer to the design lines of Android (also iOS on iPhone), but it is gradually introducing new icons.
Some add information wanting to tell us something, others are buttons that we can press to activate new functions. There's a little bit of everything, and if like me, you're confused with the latest in WhatsApp, it's worth reviewing its meaning and usefulness.
The lock icon under the contact name
First, a lock icon appeared in Groups. In this case it is simply a matter of an information badge. What does this indicate? This icon informs conversation participants that this is a secure chat. WhatsApp applies end-to-end encryption to maintain our privacy.
You should also know that this icon, as it appears, it disappears: After a few seconds, it will be replaced by the indicator listing the group participants. If he is in an individual chat, he will leave his space to display the “Last time online” information.
The double arrow, this is its meaning
The double arrow icon in WhatsApp appears in the bottom corner of sent images, videos, documents or locations and has a clear purpose: to allow you to transfer the item quickly and directly. This is very useful if you want to share photos or videos that you just shared without having to hold your finger and perform additional taps on the screen.
And how do you use it? Simple: When you receive a file or other item, tap the double-arrow icon to go to the transfer screen. It is a useful tool to save time, especially when handling multimedia content. However, WhatsApp limits forwarding based on message type: you can send it to five chats at once in most cases, but forwarded messages can often only be sent to an individual or group chat. This helps reduce the mass spread of viral or potentially problematic messages.
Sound waves icon in WhatsApp
An icon with sound waves has appeared in groups! No need to be afraid (the first time I thought wrongly), They don't listen to us without permissionis a function that appears in group chats and represents the possibility of starting a voice conversation. By pressing the icon, this mode is activated silently, that is, it does not send massive notifications to all members. Anyone in the group can join whenever they want, and if no one joins for an hour, the voice chat closes automatically.
Use is simple– Simply tap the waves icon, confirm the creation of the voice chat and wait for other group members to join if they are interested. A discreet notification alerts them to ongoing activity. This change is part of the improvements that WhatsApp is implementing to diversify its communication options and make groups more dynamic and functional.
A new microphone that isn't meant to send audio
The new microphone icon in WhatsApp appears in place of the text that previously indicated that our contact was going to send a voice note. This change aims to make the process more visual and less intrusive, by moving the notification directly to the chat, just below the last message sent. The goal is to anticipate the user that they are about to receive audio, retaining the essence of the textual indicators, but with a cleaner, more modern design. This icon is informational only, so it does not react when touched and does not activate any functions.
While this seems like a minor detail, the change is useful for those of us who prefer a more minimalist interface. This icon replaces the typical text at the top of the chat, and its placement in the conversation keeps the message flow more organized and direct. Essentially, this improves the clarity of what is happening without taking up additional space on the screen.
Some ellipses below the last message
Easy and simple, this icon replaces the classic “Writing…” that we all know. Now when someone types, you'll see this animation next to the last message in the chat, which adds a more discreet appearance to your conversations. In group chats, in addition to the ellipsis, the profile photo of the contact who is writing will appear, making it easy and quick to identify who is active.
However, the change does not completely remove the “Scripture…” text. This will continue to appear in the main chat list until you are in the specific conversation. It's a small but functional update and goes hand in hand with the new microphone icon: They make a lot of sense.
Cover image | Edited Image Maker
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