August 6, 2026, 9:21 am | Read time: 2 minutes
WhatsApp is expanding its group chats with several new features. With improved polls, an “@everyone” mention, and the ability to create new groups directly from existing chats, the messenger aims to simplify communication for billions of users.
Better Polls for Faster Decisions
Group chats are among the most important features of WhatsApp. Whether it’s family planning, club organization, or coordinating with friends, decisions often falter due to lengthy discussions and confusing message threads. This is precisely where WhatsApp’s extensive update comes in.
In the future, users can set a fixed end time for polls. Once this deadline passes, the poll will automatically close. Additionally, the names of voters can be hidden, allowing participants to express their opinions more independently. If someone makes a typo in a poll or wants to clarify a question afterward, they have a 15-minute window to do so. According to WhatsApp, this will help groups reach decisions faster and spend less time on polling.
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“@everyone” Brings Important Messages to the Forefront
The new “@everyone” feature is particularly striking. It allows users to address a message to all members of a group chat simultaneously, without having to tag each person individually. This is especially useful for time-sensitive information.
Possible uses include last-minute schedule changes, important deadlines, or organizational notices. In very large groups with more than 32 members, the feature is available only to administrators. WhatsApp also notes that “@everyone” messages can be highlighted even in muted chats. However, users retain control and can disable such notifications if needed.
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New Subgroups Now Created with a Tap
Additionally, WhatsApp makes it easier to create new groups. Users can now start a new chat with selected members directly from an existing group chat. The previously necessary manual addition of individual people is no longer required.
This feature is particularly aimed at groups where various topics are discussed in parallel. For example, organizational tasks, project discussions, or private planning can be moved to a separate chat without overloading the main group with additional messages. With these new features, WhatsApp continues its course of expanding group chats. Given that there are more than three billion users worldwide, the update is likely to quickly become part of everyday life for many people.