WhatsApp 2023 Update: What’s New and How to Get It. WhatsApp 2023 Cheat Sheet: Learn the New Features Fast.

WhatsApp New Feature Update: What You Need to Know

WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in the world, has been constantly adding new features and updates to improve its user experience and security. In this article, we will explore some of the latest WhatsApp features that were launched or announced in 2023, and how they can benefit you.

Passkeys: A More Secure Way to Sign In

One of the new WhatsApp features that was introduced in October 2023 is the passkey support. This feature allows you to use your device's biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or face recognition, to sign in to your WhatsApp account, instead of relying on SMS-delivered two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.

Passkeys are more secure than SMS codes, because they eliminate the risk of password reuse, phishing scams, and password stealer scripts. Passkeys use a match between cryptographic keys on your device and WhatsApp servers to verify your identity, making them immune to person-in-the-middle attacks.

To enable passkeys, you need to update your WhatsApp app to the latest version, and go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Passkey. You will be asked to scan your fingerprint or face, and create a backup email address in case you lose access to your device. Once you set up your passkey, you will be able to sign in to your WhatsApp account on any new or reset device using your biometric authentication.

Account Switching: Use Multiple Numbers on One Device

Another new WhatsApp feature that was announced in October 2023 by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the account switching feature. This feature allows you to use more than one WhatsApp account on the same device, without using third-party software or hacks.

This feature is especially useful for people who have dual-SIM phones, or who want to separate their personal and professional chats. You can easily switch between your different WhatsApp accounts by tapping on your profile picture on the main screen, and selecting the account you want to use. Each account will have its own chats, privacy settings, and notifications, while sharing the same device resources like storage and contacts.

To use account switching, you need to update your WhatsApp app to the latest version, and go to Settings > Account > Add account. You will be asked to enter the phone number of the account you want to add, and verify it with a passkey or SMS code. You can add up to four accounts on the same device.

Communities: A New Way to Connect with Like-Minded People

WhatsApp also introduced a new feature called Communities in 2023, which is a way to join or create groups of people who share your interests, hobbies, passions, or goals. Communities are different from regular WhatsApp groups, because they are more organized, moderated, and discoverable.

You can join a Community by searching for a topic or category that interests you, such as sports, music, gaming, or health. You can also create your own Community by inviting your contacts or other WhatsApp users who might be interested in your topic. Each Community can have up to 1,000 members, and can be public or private.

Communities offer various features to enhance your group experience, such as:

- In-chat polls: You can create or vote on polls within your Community, to get feedback, opinions, or suggestions from other members.

- 32-person video calling: You can start or join a video call with up to 32 members of your Community, to have a live conversation, share your screen, or watch videos together.

- Larger groups: You can invite more people to your Community by creating a link or QR code, or by sharing it on other social media platforms.

- New features to enhance privacy: You can control who can see your online status, leave a group silently, or block screenshots on View Once messages, to keep your Community conversations as private and secure as face-to-face ones.

Summary

WhatsApp is constantly evolving and adding new features to make its app more user-friendly, secure, and fun. Some of the new WhatsApp features that were launched or announced in 2023 are:

- Passkeys: A more secure way to sign in to your WhatsApp account using your device's biometric authentication, instead of SMS codes.

- Account switching: A feature that allows you to use multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same device, without using third-party software or hacks.

- Communities: A feature that allows you to join or create groups of people who share your interests, hobbies, passions, or goals, and enjoy various features to enhance your group experience.

FAQs

Q: How can I update my WhatsApp app to the latest version?

A: You can update your WhatsApp app from your phone's app store. For Android, find WhatsApp Messenger in the Google Play Store, then tap Update. For iPhone, find WhatsApp Messenger in the Apple App Store, then tap UPDATE.

Q: How can I enable passkeys on my WhatsApp account?

A: To enable passkeys, you need to update your WhatsApp app to the latest version, and go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Passkey. You will be asked to scan your fingerprint or face, and create a backup email address. Once you set up your passkey, you will be able to sign in to your WhatsApp account on any new or reset device using your biometric authentication.

Q: How can I use multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same device?

A: To use multiple WhatsApp accounts on the same device, you need to update your WhatsApp app to the latest version, and go to Settings > Account > Add account. You will be asked to enter the phone number of the account you want to add, and verify it with a passkey or SMS code. You can add up to four accounts on the same device. To switch between your accounts, tap on your profile picture on the main screen, and select the account you want to use.

Q: How can I join or create a Community on WhatsApp?

A: To join or create a Community on WhatsApp, you need to update your WhatsApp app to the latest version, and go to the Communities tab on the main screen. You can search for a topic or category that interests you, and join a Community that matches your preferences. You can also create your own Community by tapping on the + icon, and inviting your contacts or other WhatsApp users who might be interested in your topic. Each Community can have up to 1,000 members, and can be public or private.

Q: How can I use the new features to enhance my privacy on WhatsApp?

A: To use the new features to enhance your privacy on WhatsApp, you need to update your WhatsApp app to the latest version, and go to Settings > Privacy. You can control who can see your online status, by selecting from Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody. You can also leave a group silently, by tapping on the Mute icon, and selecting Leave without notifying. You can also block screenshots on View Once messages, by enabling the Screen Lock option.