WhatsApp Will Soon Show Your Recent Chat Searches: Report

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a feature that will show users recent searches, giving a quick way to revisit contacts and groups they previously looked for. It's currently available for some beta testers, with a broader rollout expected over the next few days.

Unlike the earlier search experience that forgot queries once closed, this new view keeps a short history on the device. When users search for a person, group or community space, the app saves that term locally and places it in a dedicated recent searches area for easy access later.

WhatsApp recent searches feature inside the Chats tab

According to details shared by WABetaInfo, the recent searches section appears directly within the Chats tab for selected users. It works in a similar way to the existing feature in the Updates tab, but focuses on chats, so it surfaces conversations that users are most likely to reopen frequently.

WhatsApp recent searches feature also tracks more than individual contacts. Group chats and community conversations are stored there as well. Both community announcement groups and their linked subgroups can show up, which means users can jump back into active community spaces without needing to type or scroll through long chat lists.

To see whether the WhatsApp recent searches feature is available for you, users can run a quick test. They need to open the Chats tab, use the search bar, select any chat result, then go back. If they gets this feature, the most recent search will appear in a new recent searches panel.

Control remains with users, as WhatsApp allows the clearing of saved queries whenever needed. Items can be removed from the recent searches area if users do not want specific chats pinned at the top of the search screen, which helps balance convenience with privacy on shared or personal devices.

The WhatsApp recent searches feature aims to save time for people who often look up the same contacts or busy community groups. As availability expands beyond the first wave of users, more people are likely to see quicker navigation when reopening their most searched chats.

Via