Tired of Group Notifications? WhatsApp’s ‘Highlights’ Feature Lets You Filter the Noise

WhatsApp is testing an update aimed at helping users manage group chat notifications more easily by making it clearer what happens when they mute these conversations. The new "Highlights" feature, currently available to select Android beta users, offers a refined approach to handling notifications in busy group chats.

WhatsApp Clarifies Group Notification Options with "Highlights"

In the latest WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.24.24.10) update spotted by WABetaInfo, users can now choose to receive notifications for all group messages or limit alerts to only "Highlights." This "Highlights" option includes notifications for @mentions, replies, and other direct interactions, allowing users to focus on messages that involve or address them specifically.

The update doesn't change how muting works but instead offers a clearer explanation of existing functionality. Previously, muting group notifications still allowed alerts for specific interactions, like mentions or replies, but users had little guidance on this. Now, with the "Highlights" option, WhatsApp makes it clear that muting a group doesn't entirely silence it; users will still be alerted to key interactions relevant to them.

Reducing Notification Overload in Large Groups

For large, active group chats, this change makes managing notifications easier and less intrusive. The "Highlights" option is especially useful in groups with high message volumes, where constant alerts can become overwhelming. By focusing notifications on direct interactions, users can avoid the disruption of every new message while staying informed about important conversations.

The default notification setting when joining a group now also depends on group size. Larger groups default to "Highlights" to prevent overload, while smaller groups still notify users of all messages unless they choose to adjust this preference.

Clearer Control Over Group Chat Muting

This update also addresses a common source of confusion for WhatsApp users. Many assumed that muting a group would stop all notifications, but certain interactions, such as mentions or replies, have always triggered alerts even in muted groups. With the new feature, WhatsApp now provides explicit guidance, letting users know that muted groups will still allow notifications for direct engagement, helping users better understand and control their notification settings.

Currently, this feature is available to some users on the WhatsApp beta for Android. As testing progresses, WhatsApp plans to roll it out to more users in the coming weeks, offering a more customizable and transparent way to manage group chat alerts.