WhatsApp has been busy since the last few months adding a slew of new features. One of the latest updates is a favorite with Instagram users – the status update mentions feature. What that means is you can now ‘@’ mention contacts (friends and family members) when updating your WhatsApp status. Here is how it works.
As per WABetaInfo, WhatsApp’s Status update mention feature is currently available on Android smartphones only. Sorry, iPhone users. You must be running at least beta version 2.24.20.3 of WhatsApp or higher to see this.
- Update your status: When creating a new WhatsApp status, you’ll notice a new @ button at the bottom right corner.
- Tag contacts: Tap the @ button to add the names of the contacts you want to mention.
- Notify contacts: The mentioned contacts will receive a notification immediately so they can view your Status update. They will also receive a chat message from the contact notifying of the status update and mention.
- Reshare status: Contacts can reshare your status with their own contacts by tapping the “Reshare” button that will appear at the bottom next to the reply box.
- Privacy: No one else viewing the Status update can view the mentioned names except those who have been mentioned preserving the contact’s privacy.
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There is one important distinction between Instagram’s and WhatsApp’s implementation of the Status update mention feature. Unlike the popular image and video hosting platform, WhatsApp will keep the identity (name of the status creator) private when his Status update mention is reshared by the mentioned contacts.
So what about contacts blocked via the Status privacy settings? Well, those contacts will still be able to see your status if they are mentioned in your Status using the new feature. Even if they are blocked from viewing all status updates using the common privacy settings.
So, how are you going to use this new Status update mention feature of WhatsApp.
