Mumbai, February 20: Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has officially introduced 'Group Message History', a new feature designed to improve the onboarding experience for new group participants. The update allows group administrators and members to share a selection of recent messages with newly added individuals, eliminating the need for manual forwarding or screenshots.

The WhatsApp Group Message History feature addresses a long-standing request from the global user base, aiming to provide immediate context for ongoing conversations. By allowing new members to view previous interactions, WhatsApp intends to make group environments more welcoming and efficient across all supported devices. X New Feature Update: Elon Musk’s Platform To Launch Paid Partnership Badges, Integrated Cashtag Search for Enhanced Transparency and Financial Discussions.

WhatsApp Group Message History Feature Offers Customisable Message Sharing and Controls

Under the new system, when a person is added to an existing group, an option will appear to share a specific portion of the recent chat history. Users can choose to send a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 100 recent messages to the newcomer. This ensures that the context provided is relevant and concise without overwhelming the recipient.

WhatsApp has implemented strict administrative controls to manage this feature. While group admins will always retain the ability to share history, they also have the option to disable this setting for general members within their specific groups. This provides a layer of oversight for community managers who wish to maintain tighter control over shared information.

WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption and Transparency

Privacy remains a core component of the update. WhatsApp confirmed that all messages shared through the Group Message History feature remain protected by end-to-end encryption. This ensures that only the intended recipients can view the content, maintaining the platform’s standard for private communication.

To ensure transparency within the group, a notification is sent to all existing members whenever a message history is shared with a newcomer. Shared history messages are also visually distinct from real-time messages and include clear timestamps and sender information, allowing all participants to track what information has been disclosed.

WhatsApp Gradual Rollout and User Impact

The rollout of Group Message History has commenced globally and will reach all users over the coming weeks. The feature is expected to be particularly beneficial for professional teams, educational groups, and community organisations that frequently add new members to active discussions. WhatsApp New Feature Update: Meta-Owned Platform Developing New ‘Settings Tab’ and ‘Choose App Theme, Icon and Color’ Features.

By providing a structured way to catch up on missed dialogue, WhatsApp is positioning this tool as a more secure alternative to traditional methods of information sharing. The company stated that it looks forward to setting further standards for private group experiences as it continues to refine its messaging ecosystem in 2026.

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