SNACK: 3-line summary
- WhatsApp announced four group-chat updates, including an option to keep messages pinned indefinitely.
- Recent messages can be shared after someone joins, while group status offers updates that disappear after 24 hours.
- A new filter shows unread group conversations with mentions or direct replies to you, including @all mentions.
WhatsApp announced a no-expiry option for pinned group messages on October 29, 2026, alongside three other group-chat updates. The changes also help new members catch up, give groups a space for temporary status updates and make mentions easier to find.
Snackgirls react
AIKO: Different expiry rules for reminders and passing chatter make sense to me. A lunch update does not need a lifetime appointment.
Nea: If I joined a game-lore discussion halfway through, I’d ask someone to share the recent messages. I’d like to see how the group arrived at its theory without interrupting.
Keep a useful message pinned until it is no longer needed
The new pinning option lets you leave an important group message pinned without choosing an expiry time up front. You can still unpin it when it is no longer useful.
Share recent history after someone joins
Earlier this year, WhatsApp added the option to share recent messages when adding someone to a group. The new change lets you send recent history later by tapping that member’s name in the chat. Those shared messages remain end-to-end encrypted.
Group status provides a separate way to share temporary updates with a specific group. Members can view, react and add their own status. Unlike a message pinned without an expiry, each status disappears after 24 hours.
Find unread groups where someone mentioned or replied to you
The new “Mentions and replies” filter shows unread group conversations where you were mentioned or received a direct reply. It also includes @all messages. This filters the conversation list; it does not mute notifications or clear other unread messages.
WhatsApp did not specify an app version or a date when every account would have the new options.
Sources and checked date: October 31, 2026
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