WhatsApp Working on Kept Messages Feature; Unread Chat Filter, Past Participants Out in Beta: Report

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new 'kept messages' feature, planned for future updates of WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, and desktops. This new feature is said to allow users to keep a disappearing message in a chat past its expiration timer. Purportedly, these messages can then also be viewed by all the members of a conversation in the new 'Kept Messages' section in the chat info. In related news, the Meta-owned platform has also released two beta updates bringing unread chat filter and past participant features.

According to a report by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the under-development 'kept messages' feature is said to allow users to keep a disappearing message in the chat for everyone past its expiration timers. Users are expected to be able to keep or un-keep messages for other members of the chat. However, group admins are said to be able to set limits for this feature. It is believed that WhatsApp may introduce new privacy settings to enable group admins to toggle this feature.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.22.16.70 update. It is said to enable group chat members to view users who have left the group as part of the new 'past participants' feature. This feature will supposedly allow members to view users who might have left the group in the last 60 days in a new section under the group info.

Another report by the feature tracker suggests that WhatsApp is rolling out a new WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.16.14 update. It is said to re-enable the unread chat filter reportedly introduced in a past beta. While searching for chats and messages, users would supposedly be able to use the new unread chat filter. This filter will supposedly allow users to view all of their unread chats even if they were previously marked manually.

These WhatsApp features are reportedly under development and there is no set date for their wide release.