At the beginning of WhatsApp chats you will now sometimes see a new symbol in the form of a pin. We’ll tell you what it’s all about.
WhatsApp now sometimes shows a pin in some chats. (Source: WhatsApp, cobalt88/depositphotos.com; Montage: Netzwelt)
- WhatsApp now allows you to pin important messages in chats. A pin symbol at the beginning of the chat then takes everyone in the group directly to the respective message.
- WhatsApp also offers a similar function for popular contacts.
- However, contacts later added to a group will not be able to see pinned messages if they were sent before joining.
The WhatsApp messenger is constantly being expanded to include new functions. Some of these ensure that new symbols appear in the chat. For example, in some chats you will now see a pin at the top. What’s it all about? The symbol is associated with the “Fix Messages” feature, which Messenger began rolling out to Android phones in December 2023.
It is now also available on the iPhone. You can use it to pin important messages to the top of the chat for a specific period of time. You can choose between 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. Currently only one message can be pinned to the top at a time. According to information from the fan blog, the messenger should WABetaInfo Working on the possibility of fixing multiple messages at the beginning of the chat.
Direct link to important news
The function is particularly interesting for group chats. For example, if you have arranged to meet in the chat, you can fix the message containing the meeting point and time in the chat so that everyone can quickly find it again. All you need to do is press the pin and you will jump to the fixed message in the chat.
However, the function has a weak point. If you later add a contact to a group and pin a message that you wrote before the person joined, our research shows that it will not be displayed to them. As an alternative, we therefore recommend always using the group description for important information.
This is how you pin messages
To fix a message on WhatsApp, you just have to mark it in the chat and then, on Android devices, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select fix. On the iPhone, however, you select the “Fix” option from the context menu that appears when you hold down the message. Then set the time period and confirm it by pressing the “Fix” button.
WhatsApp has been offering a similar function with the star symbol for a long time. You can use this to bookmark chats. While these are only available to you personally, messages with the pin are accessible to all contacts in the chat.
You can also pin chats that you use frequently to the top of the chat list for a long time. This is also symbolized by a pin.
- » Tipp: The best VPN providers for more security and data protection
- » Buy balcony power plant: Comparison of the best solar systems
Don’t miss anything with this NETWORK WORLDNewsletter
Every Friday: The most informative and entertaining summary from the world of technology!
