How to WhatsApp like a pro
With over one billion users world wide, WhatsApp has gone from a messaging app into a ubiquitous verb ('Hey, can you WhatsApp me that picture?'). Earlier this month, it also launched an app that sits on your desktop, allowing you to read and answer text messages without pulling out your phone.TNP shares some of his top WhatsApp tips for power users.
GET RID OF THOSE BLUE TICKS
If you don't want your friends or family to know that you have read their messages (the grey double ticks next to the message turns blue when you read them), you can disable the blue-tick function. But that would mean you won't be able to see when they've read your message either.
On Android: Triple Dot >> Settings >> Account >> Privacy
On iOS: Settings>> Settings >> Account >> Privacy
READ MESSAGES WITHOUT THE BLUE TICK APPEARING
If you insist on being able to see if other people have read your messages, but you don't want them to be able to see that you have already read it, just activate airplane mode or use the widget function (Android-only).
On Android/iOS: Activate airplane mode >> Read messages
On Android: Add widget >> WhatsApp Widget (Large) >> Scroll through unread messages on homescreen
CHECK WHO IN YOUR MESSAGE GROUP HAS READ YOUR MESSAGE
Everyone in the chat group has received your messages, but it hasn't turned blue. If you want to know who hasn't read the message, here's how you do it. You can even see the time they received and read your messages. This applies to individual chats as well.
On Android/iOS: Hold down the specific message >> Click the info button
SEND A MESSAGE TO MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS
There are times when you need to send a message out to multiple contacts, but you don't want to create a group. It could be because you don't want the recipients to see each other, or you want your message to appear personal. Your solution is to create a broadcast list.
iOS: Broadcast List >> New List
Android: Triple Dot Button >> New Broadcast List >> Add Recipients
TAG IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Did someone send you an important text, or perhaps an address you might need to refer to from time to time? Use the "Star" function to keep track of important messages before they get buried by the other messages that follow.
Hold down the message >> Press the star symbol >> Triple Dot Button/Settings >> Starred Messages
BACKUP YOUR CHATS
You can backup your chats and store them to your Google Drive account so you can restore them from another phone or when you factory reset your device.
Settings >> Chat >> Chat Backup >> Back Up (to Google Drive)
USE WHATSAPP ON YOUR COMPUTER
Download the WhatsApp application for Windows 8 and above, or for Mac OS X from the WhatsApp website. You can also use it on your browser by visiting www.whatsapp.com and clicking on the WhatsApp Web link and scanning the QR code that appears with your phone.
Triple Dot Button/Settings >> WhatsApp Web >> Scan QR Code
MUTE SPECIFIC GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS
When you need a break from the chatter on a WhatsApp group, you can mute these groups and even certain individuals you don't wish to hear from.
Click on the contact/chat group name at the top >> Mute
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