WhatsApp is upgrading its messaging platform and adding the ability to pin important messages in both individual and group chats. This new feature, which is being released to its billions of users worldwide, allows highlighting up to one message at a time for easier reference later.

Announced earlier this week, the pinned messages functionality supports all message formats – text, images, videos, emojis or polls. The newly rolled out feature is targeted at helping users conveniently access details like addresses, event information or group guidelines by sticking relevant messages to the top of any chat.

To pin a message, simply long press the desired text or media and select the “Pin” option from the menu. Users can choose to set reminders, pinning for 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days maximum. In WhatsApp groups, admins control who can pin posts.

Unpinning messages works similarly by long pressing the pinned item and hitting “Unpin”. Alternatively, pins get removed automatically once their duration expires.

Pinned messages across Android, iPhones or WhatsApp Web show a small notification identifying them as pinned. The feature is getting rolled out gradually, and should be worldwide in the coming weeks.

Why Add Message Pinning?

The popular chat platform played catch up to competitors offering pinned messaging for awhile already, including Telegram, Signal and Facebook Messenger.

But WhatsApp product managers see added demand to highlight pertinent details in fast-moving chats. Friends coordinating meetups or groups planning events often lose key info like locations or schedules in message overload.

With this feature, details stay visible despite new incoming texts. Some also suggest useful applications in family chats or work project teams.

Parent company Meta continues pushing WhatsApp adoption everywhere including the United States. It seems new features may drive more personal and professional chats to switch over from legacy SMS or unencrypted messengers.