Post the introduction of WhatsApp Status, the messaging giant is now looking to introduce nifty new features to further elevate the experience for its massive 1.2 billion user base. As suggested by one of the most trusted sources for WhatsApp rumors, Twitter user @WABetaInfo, the company is testing a new feature that simplifies the notification process for ‘change number’ feature in the app.
I hope most of you are already aware of the fact that you’re required to sign up for WhatsApp using your mobile number. While the messaging giant already provides you with the capability to change the phone number you’ve used during the sign-up process, it has always been a chore to notify other users on the platform of this change.
Once you go through the number change process, your account info, contacts, as well as groups are automatically transferred to the new phone numbers. But, other contacts on the platform remain aloof to the number change, so you either have to blast them with a broadcast message to notify them or change the status on your previous number to reflect you have moved to a new contact. And this too will only come in handy if the person looking to message you on WhatsApp checks up on your status.
It seems WhatsApp itself is aware of the troubles involved in making everyone, including friends and family members, aware of your phone number change. Thus, it is now easing the transition process by providing you an option to notify all contacts or those who’ve messaged you even once. This new feature has been spotted in WhatsApp’s beta app for Windows Phone, version 2.17.130.
WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone 2.17.130: new change number feature, to notify your contacts about your new number (DISABLED BY DEFAULT) pic.twitter.com/FpZWHH3MS3
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) April 15, 2017
As can be seen in the tweet attached above, the new number migration feature provides you with three notification options to choose from:
- Firstly toggle the ‘Notify Contacts’ button if you want to make anyone aware of the number change. And don’t do it if you want to keep the change to yourself (or an inner circle of friends).
- You can notify all contacts (each and every one) added to your WhatsApp about your number change, else
- You can notify only the contacts who you’ve contacted on the platform i.e whom you’ve messaged even once.
This feature, as most of @WABetaInfo’s findings, is also disabled and hidden by default. There is also no info on how the notification will be delivered and appear on the other person’s WhatsApp. But, there is one thing for sure, you can expect numerous new features, such as number change, message revoke, and font shortcuts, in the coming updates. WhatsApp is also expected to debut a standalone business-focused application in India in the ext six odd months, so stay tuned for that release as well.
