WhatsApp Messenger

Group History Sharing and Enhanced Call Controls

WhatsApp has released two significant feature updates that change how groups and calls work. Both updates are rolling out to users over the coming weeks.

Share Recent Group History With New Members

Group admins and members can now choose to share recent messages when adding someone to a group. When you add a new participant, WhatsApp presents an option to include recent group history. The newcomer can then see up to 100 recent messages that were sent before they joined.

This feature gives new members context about ongoing discussions without requiring existing participants to resend information. The choice to share history is made at the time of adding someone, so groups can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to include past messages.

The feature was first spotted in beta versions for Android (2.26.1.28) and iOS (26.2.10.73) before reaching the stable release.

Group Call Improvements

Group calls now support transferring calls between devices. You can move an active group call from your mobile device to WhatsApp Web or Desktop without disconnecting. The call stays active throughout the transfer, and other participants do not need to reconnect.

A waiting room feature has been added for call links. When someone joins a group call using a link, they enter a waiting area until the host admits them.

Participants can now pin a specific person to a larger tile during a group call. This keeps a selected participant visible in a bigger video window regardless of who is speaking.

Additional Call Features

WhatsApp has introduced a dedicated calls tab that brings together the ability to make new calls, share call links, and manage call history in one place.

iPhone users can pinch to zoom during video calls. This works on both your own video and the video of other participants.

You can now add someone to an ongoing one-on-one call directly from a chat thread. Tap the call icon at the top of the chat and select "Add to call."