WhatsApp releases group chat history, new members will get the facility to know what is going on in the group
WhatsApp is introducing a new feature called “Group Chat History.” With this feature, admins and members can now share up to 100 latest messages with anyone who joins the group, helping them instantly understand past conversations.
WhatsApp has launched a new feature aimed at streamlining group conversations by allowing sharing of recent group message history with newly added members. Announced on Friday, the update targets one of the platform’s most requested improvements, aimed at reducing interruptions and confusion when joining a group chat. The feature is being rolled out globally and will soon be available to both Android and iOS users, with WhatsApp encouraging users to update to the latest app version to access it.
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Previously, users added to a group could only see messages sent after their entry, often taking them out of important context and requiring manually forwarding old messages to other members. With the new Group Message History option, both group administrators and members now have the ability to share past messages in a structured way. They can choose a specific number of messages to send to new participants – ranging from a minimum of 25 to a maximum of 100 – and offer flexibility depending on the nature of the group.
Unlike automatic message collection, sending group message history is an intentional step. When a new person joins, admins and members see the option to send recent messages, ensuring that only the most relevant context is sent. Administrators also have the ability to disable this setting for their groups, allowing them to maintain control over group information. Administrators will always retain the option to share history as needed.
Privacy remains at the center of the new feature. WhatsApp has emphasized that group message histories continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only group participants can access shared messages. This feature does not compromise the platform’s established encryption standards, and message visibility remains limited to the group environment.
When history is shared, transparency is reinforced through clear notifications to all group members. According to WhatsApp, “For transparency, when Message History is sent, everyone in the group is notified with a clear timestamp and sender information, and Message History is visually distinguished from regular messages.” The purpose of this approach is to avoid confusion and maintain accountability within the group chat.
The message history sharing option is designed to cater to different group types, be it professional, community or personal chats. By allowing choice in the number of forwarded messages, WhatsApp provides flexibility and protects new members from unnecessary information. This update is expected to streamline coordination and reduce the routine need to repeat previous discussions.
The rollout for group message history is happening gradually, with WhatsApp saying that the feature is already being made available to users around the world. Both administrators and regular group members can initiate sharing, but the process should always be deliberate – there’s no automation, which helps preserve privacy and prevent accidental oversharing.
For users wishing to use the new functionality, it is necessary to update the app to the latest version. As the global release continues, WhatsApp positions the Group Message History feature as another step in enhancing the group chat experience by balancing ease of use, transparency, and privacy.
