whatsapp is rolling out huge changes set to make the service even better – and in some cases much closer to competing messaging apps. Among the changes are the ability to react to messages with emojis, send files up to 2GB, and even larger group chats.
Previously, group chats could include up to 256 people at any one time, which is already quite a large number. The latest version allows up to 512 people to participate, and you better hope they’re not all trying to talk at once; it would sound like a nightmarish conversation to try to follow.
The increase in file share size is more than welcome. The previous limit was only 100MB, which isn’t much these days, especially if you want to share videos. 2 GB may not seem like much, but it offers a lot more flexibility when it comes to sending things via WhatsApp.
But given how slow the app is when sharing larger files, especially if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, sending a full 2GB file might take a while. So use this new limit sparingly, or on your home Wi-Fi network, if you can. The good news is that WhatsApp will have a counter, telling you how long it will take to download files.
Emoji reactions aren’t the biggest deal in the world, by comparison. But this is a feature that exists on several other platforms, including Facebook Status. According to WhatsApp, the reactions are “fun, fast and they also reduce overload in groups”.
In a one-on-one conversation, the difference between reacting and sending an emoji message is minimal. But in a large group? WhatsApp is right, the last thing you need is up to 512 people sending emojis.
You can send a reaction by long-pressing the message in question. A small pop-up window will then give you six options: thumbs up, heart, cry laughing, shocked, cry, and folded hands/pray. More will come in the future, although there is no specific timeline on when.
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According to WhatsApp, the features are rolling out “slowly”, having started last week. If you don’t have them yet, WhatsApp expects everyone to have them by the end of this week.
Of course, WhatsApp isn’t the only service with features like this. The best WhatsApp alternatives are available, if you want to avoid Facebook/Meta in all its forms.
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