Major updates and features of WhatsApp | How to activate the auto-reply / Away message feature in WhatsApp

 Major updates and features of WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that is used by over 2 billion people worldwide. The app has come a long way since its launch in 2009, with new features and updates being added regularly to enhance the user experience. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the major updates and features that have been introduced on WhatsApp in recent years.

End-to-End Encryption: One of the most significant updates that WhatsApp introduced is end-to-end encryption. This feature ensures that all messages, calls, photos, and videos are encrypted from the sender's device to the recipient's device, making it impossible for anyone to intercept or read the communication. This feature was introduced in April 2016 and is enabled by default for all users.

WhatsApp Business: WhatsApp introduced a separate app for businesses called WhatsApp Business in January 2018. This app allows small businesses to connect with their customers easily and efficiently. Businesses can create a catalog of their products and services, and customers can place orders directly through WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Pay: In November 2018, WhatsApp introduced a new feature called WhatsApp Pay. This feature allows users to make peer-to-peer payments using WhatsApp. The feature is currently available in India, Brazil, and Mexico, and it uses the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to facilitate transactions.

WhatsApp Group Video and Voice Calls: In 2018, WhatsApp introduced the ability for users to make group video and voice calls. This feature allows up to four people to participate in a video call and up to eight people in a voice call simultaneously.

WhatsApp Dark Mode: In 2019, WhatsApp introduced a new feature called Dark Mode. This feature changes the color scheme of the app from white to black, reducing strain on the eyes in low-light environments.

WhatsApp Status: In February 2017, WhatsApp introduced a new feature called Status, which allows users to share photos, videos, and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. This feature is similar to Snapchat's Stories feature.

WhatsApp Catalog: In May 2019, WhatsApp introduced a feature called Catalog, which allows businesses to create a catalog of their products and services within WhatsApp. Customers can view the catalog, place orders, and make payments directly through the app.

WhatsApp Web: In January 2015, WhatsApp introduced a feature called WhatsApp Web, which allows users to access WhatsApp on their computer by scanning a QR code on the WhatsApp Web website. This feature makes it easier for users to chat with friends and family while working on their computers.

WhatsApp Stickers: In October 2018, WhatsApp introduced a feature called Stickers, which allows users to send stickers in chat. This feature adds more expression to the chat and makes it more fun.

WhatsApp Payments: In February 2021, the WhatsApp payments feature was launched in Brazil. This feature allows users to send and receive money through WhatsApp, making it easy for people to transfer money to friends and family without having to leave the app.

In conclusion, WhatsApp has come a long way since its launch in 2009, with new features and updates being added regularly to enhance the user experience. From end-to-end encryption to WhatsApp Business, WhatsApp Pay, WhatsApp Group Video and Voice Calls, WhatsApp Dark Mode, WhatsApp Status, WhatsApp Catalog, WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Stickers, and WhatsApp Payments, WhatsApp has made messaging more secure, more efficient, and more enjoyable for its users.

Difference between simple WhatsApp and business WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world. While most people use the standard version of WhatsApp for personal communication, there is also a separate version called WhatsApp Business that is designed for small and medium-sized businesses.

The main difference between simple WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business is the set of features that are available. Simple WhatsApp is primarily used for personal communication and has features like end-to-end encryption, the ability to create group chats, and the ability to send multimedia messages. WhatsApp Business, on the other hand, is designed to help businesses communicate with their customers and has a set of features that are specifically tailored for this purpose.

Some of the key features of WhatsApp Business include:

Business profiles: With WhatsApp Business, businesses can create a profile that includes information like their name, address, and website. This makes it easier for customers to find and contact the business.

Automated messages: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to set up automated messages that will be sent to customers when they first contact the business. This can help businesses save time and improve their response times.

Quick replies: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to create pre-written responses that can be quickly sent to customers. This can help businesses save time and improve their response times.

Labels: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to label chats so they can easily find them later.

Catalog: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to create a catalog of their products or services that customers can browse through.

WhatsApp Web: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to use WhatsApp on the web, which means they can reply to messages from their computer.

Overall, WhatsApp Business is a powerful tool that can help businesses improve their communication with customers and streamline their operations. While simple WhatsApp is great for personal communication, WhatsApp Business is the perfect solution for businesses that want to take advantage of the platform's wide reach and powerful features.

How to activate the auto-reply / Away message feature in WhatsApp

The auto-reply feature in WhatsApp is called "Away message" and is only available for WhatsApp Business accounts. To set an away message, follow these steps:

Open WhatsApp and go to the "Settings" menu.

Tap on "Business settings".

Tap on "Away message".

Type the message you want to use as your away message.

Toggle the switch to enable the away message.

Keep in mind that the away message will only be sent to people who message you directly and not to groups.