WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, has started testing a new feature on the latest beta version of the app for Android and iOS. This feature will display common groups when users search for a contact on WhatsApp and will allow users to quickly find a group with an obscure title or if its name is in a different language. Meanwhile, the Meta-owned messaging service is also redesigning the attachment picker menu on the Android application. However, unlike the revamped search feature, the new attachment picker design is still in development.
The feature is currently being tested on the beta version of the app, and it is not clear when it will be available to all users. However, the feature is expected to be well-received by WhatsApp users who are members of several groups and find it difficult to locate specific groups when searching for a contact.
According to details shared by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, some beta testers who have updated to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.6.20 and WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.5.0.75 updates are now being shown a Groups in common section when using the search bar to look for a contact.
In December 2022, WhatsApp released a new feature for the desktop client that lets users quickly search for their recent groups by entering a contact name. Many users find this feature particularly useful in situations where they may not recall the name of a group but can remember a participant of that group. After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.6.20 update from the Google Play Store, some beta testers may get the same feature while searching for a contact:
With the new feature, when a user searches for a contact on WhatsApp, the app will display the common groups that both the user and the contact are members of. This will make it easier for users to quickly locate the relevant group and start a conversation.
WhatsApp is constantly introducing new features to improve the user experience and stay ahead of the competition. The new feature of displaying common groups is expected to be welcomed by users, who will find it a useful addition to the app.
Additionally, the Whatsapp feature tracker has also spotted an updated chat attachment picker that is being developed for WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.6.17. The new picker for attachments has a cleaner design compared to the current layout.
There may also be a possibility that WhatsApp may eventually allow users to limit poll choices to just one – currently, users can select multiple choices in WhatsApp polls. Unlike the redesigned search feature, these two features are still in development and are yet to make their way to beta testers, according to the feature tracker.