Stepping into the new year, we had high hopes to see some new features come to our favorite messaging app. As the month of January came to a close, we saw some long-awaited features in Beta make their way to everyone’s devices, while some exciting changes popped up as well. So if you are here again to learn about all the new WhatsApp features added in January 2025, then welcome back and let’s get started.
New WhatsApp Features Added in January 2025 (Stable)
These are all the new features that are rolling out for all WhatsApp users, on Android, iOS, or the desktop version of the app. If you haven’t received them already, then update the app to the latest version.
1. AI Studio in WhatsApp
- Available on Android and iPhone
Out of friends to talk to, or just need someone to save you from boredom. WhatsApp comes to the rescue with its AI Studio personalities. This feature is rolling out for everyone and can be accessed from the Meta AI chat window.
Using it, you can access a variety of AI personas and strike up a conversation with them. They range from people from different cultures to anime icons and pop-culture personalities. So if you ever need a talking dog’s opinion on something, you can get it now.
2. Built-in Dial Pad
In our December features list, we mentioned that the company is testing a built-in dial pad, and now it’s live on iOS. iPhone users can go to the Calls tab, tap the plus + icon at the top right, and use the Call a number option to bring it up. Then directly dial the number instead of saving it to your contacts first.
3. Double Tap to React
- Available on Android and iPhone
If you have ever used Instagram, then you might be familiar with how you can quickly double-tap on DM to like it. Well, there’s sort of something similar on WhatsApp now. You can double-tap a text, media, or voice message to bring up the emoji reaction carousel. Then you can tap the emoji to react. This is a good alternative to holding down the message, but I would stick to the latter instead.
4. Photo Stickers and Sticker Pack Links
- Available on Android and iPhone
We all have our inside jokes with friends and family. And now you can bring them to WhatsApp by creating custom sticker packs. This allows you to create stickers out of selfies, and other photos in your gallery. The app will intelligently cut out the subject from the image, and then you can use it as a sticker. To access this option, tap the Sticker icon in the text space and tap the Create option.
That’s not all. WhatsApp now lets you share links for sticker packs. So if your friends want to know which sticker pack are you using, you can quickly share a link for it. The option will be available in the sticker space. You need to press the 3-dots icon next to the sticker pack name and choose Send.
5. Background Effects for Normal Photos
- Available on Android and iPhone
We have previously discussed video and image filters that you can add for status updates and calls. But now it is also available for regular photos you click for individual chats. Yes, the same 30 or so backgrounds, effects, and filters are there at your disposal when you tap the camera icon in a chat window. This feature is rolling out for everyone, and you should update the app if you don’t see it.
6. Add Message Before Forwarding
In our November features list, we mentioned WhatsApp is testing an option to add a message before forwarding any content. This has now gone live for Android users. So now when you forward any text, media, or links, you will see an option to add your own message to it.
Upcoming WhatsApp Features in January 2025 (Beta)
Here we have mentioned all the changes, that are under testing at the moment. These are only available to a limited number of users who have enrolled in WhatsApp’s beta program.
7. Dedicated Tab for AI Studio
Currently, you can only access AI avatars from the Meta AI chat window or when starting a new chat. But recent beta updates hint at a dedicated AI tab being added to the app. This will replace the Communities tab and will be your one-stop location to browse all different AI Studio creations. Maybe it will also be the new home for Meta AI chat as well.
WhatsApp is also testing a new animation when opening this new tab for the first time. This comes along with the option to create and publish your own AI personalities on WhatsApp, which is not possible as of now. To further promote this AI push on the app, the platform is also testing a Meta AI widget. This will let you quickly jump into a conversation with the chatbot from your home screen.
8. Colorful Icons for Chats and Groups
- Testing on Android and iPhone
Tired of seeing the same old gray placeholders when someone hasn’t set up their profile photo. WhatsApp is fixing this by testing colorful display icons showing the initials for individual or group chats. This will make it easier to find them when you find the need to. The colors are randomly assigned and will go away once they put up an image as their display picture.
9. Connect WhatsApp to Meta Accounts Center
- Testing on Android and iPhone
Meta is extending support of their Accounts Center to WhatsApp. This will let you connect your WhatsApp account along with your Facebook and Instagram profile, enabling you to share status updates across multiple platforms at once. So you will be able to share WhatsApp status updates to Instagram and Facebook, and probably vice versa.
It also lets you sign in to your WhatsApp account easily when switching devices. Much like how you can do with Facebook or Instagram. However, this will be an optional feature, and you can choose not to do so if you are concerned about privacy. Though connecting your WhatsApp account won’t break the end-to-end encryption, nor will it be used to collect user data.
10. Share Music in Status Updates
- Testing on Android and iPhone
A few months ago, we talked about WhatsApp including the option to add music to your status updates. We haven’t received the feature yet, but there is an update on the story. As speculated, this will let you use Instagram’s music library to accentuate your WhatsApp updates. You will also be able to visit the artist’s page to explore similar songs, I suppose.
11. Manage Chat Animations
- Testing on Android and iPhone
The messaging app is testing a menu where you can turn off animations for all of the above. This will turn all GIFs, stickers, and emojis into static photos as long as these options are toggled off. But you can turn them on anytime from the same menu.
12. Unread Counter on Filters
WhatsApp started rolling out the message filter feature for everyone just a couple of months back. Now they are improving upon it by showing the number of unread messages in each category. So if you have 2 unread group messages, it will show a 2-digit next to the Groups filter. The same applies to chats in custom lists. This will help you ensure you are not missing out on any important texts.
13. Events in Regular Chats
Events is one of the better additions to WhatsApp, but its availability has stayed limited to Groups and Communities. Now the feature is being tested on one-to-one chats as well. This will let you set up an event reminder with your friends or family members. I can already see a lot of use for it, and honestly been wishing for WhatsApp to add individual chats.
14. Photos in Polls
Soon, you will be able to add images as options when creating a poll. This will make the experience more immersive, and make it easier for members to understand each option. However, if you add an image to one option, you are required to do so for others as well to maintain consistency.
This brings us to the end of another monthly list of new WhatsApp features in January 2025. The month brought some exciting updates and some much-awaited features to stable users. As always, if you haven’t received them yet, then be sure to update the app regularly. With that, we bid adieu to you for now till we meet again next month.
Source: Beebom
