Published: june 26, 2026 | Last Updated: August 18, 2026
WhatsApp is much more than a simple messaging and calling app. Millions of people use it every day to chat with friends and family, make voice and video calls, share photos and documents, manage businesses, follow Channels, and stay connected with their audiences.
However, many people use only the basic WhatsApp features and never explore the privacy, security, productivity, calling, Status, Business, and Channel tools available to them.
In this guide, we will cover 25 useful WhatsApp tips and tricks for 2026. These practical tips can help you make WhatsApp more private, secure, organised, and useful in everyday life.
Whether you are a student, freelancer, business owner, blogger, content creator, or regular WhatsApp user, you can start using these features immediately where they are available on your device.
Table of Contents
WhatsApp Privacy and Security Tips
Tip 1: Hide Your Last Seen From Specific People
WhatsApp lets you control who can see when you were last active. You do not have to hide your Last Seen from everyone if you only want to restrict a few contacts.
How to do it:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings → Privacy.
- Tap Last Seen and Online.
- Select My Contacts Except....
- Choose the contacts you want to exclude.
- Save your settings.
You can also control who can see when you are online. The exact options may vary slightly depending on your WhatsApp version and device.
Tip 2: Lock WhatsApp With Fingerprint or Face ID
If other people sometimes use your phone, WhatsApp's app-lock feature can add another layer of privacy.
On supported devices, you can require fingerprint or Face ID authentication before opening WhatsApp.
How to check the setting:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings → Privacy.
- Look for the app-lock or biometric-lock option.
- Enable the available authentication method.
- Choose your preferred lock timing if the option is available.
After enabling the feature, biometric authentication may be required to access your WhatsApp chats.
Tip 3: Control Who Can See Your Profile Photo
Your WhatsApp profile photo may contain personal information, so it is useful to control who can see it.
How to change it:
- Open Settings → Privacy.
- Tap Profile Photo.
- Choose the privacy option that suits you.
Depending on your app version, available choices can include:
- Everyone
- My Contacts
- My Contacts Except...
- Nobody
For everyday privacy, My Contacts can be a practical choice.
Tip 4: Turn Off Read Receipts
If you do not want people to know when you have read their messages, you can disable Read Receipts.
How to disable Read Receipts:
- Go to Settings → Privacy.
- Find Read Receipts.
- Turn the setting off.
Important: When Read Receipts are disabled, you generally will not be able to see other users' read receipts either. Group chats and voice-message behaviour can differ.
Tip 5: Use Two WhatsApp Accounts on One Phone
If you have separate personal and work numbers, WhatsApp can make it easier to keep two accounts on the same phone on supported devices.
As of 2026, WhatsApp supports two accounts on one iPhone as well as supported Android devices.
How to add another account:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap the account selector next to your name or account information.
- Select Add Account.
- Follow the verification instructions.
Important: The second account requires a separate phone number. Depending on your device, this may be a second SIM or eSIM.
Tip 6: Reserve a WhatsApp Username
WhatsApp is introducing usernames as a privacy feature that can help people connect without immediately sharing their phone number.
Meta announced in June 2026 that users could begin reserving usernames ahead of the wider launch. The feature is rolling out gradually, so availability can vary by country and account.
How to check:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings → Account → Username.
- If the option is available, follow the instructions to reserve your username.
A username can be particularly useful for creators, businesses, communities, and people who want to communicate with new contacts without immediately revealing their phone number.
Privacy tip: Choose your username carefully. WhatsApp says there is no public directory for usernames, meaning people generally need to know the exact username to contact you for the first time.
WhatsApp Messaging Tips
Tip 7: Send Messages Without Typing
When you need to write a long WhatsApp message, your phone's built-in voice-to-text feature can save time.
How to use it:
- Open a WhatsApp chat.
- Tap the microphone icon on your phone keyboard.
- Speak your message clearly.
- Review the converted text.
- Send the message.
This can be especially useful when you are travelling, working, or need to send a longer message quickly.
Tip 8: Format WhatsApp Messages
WhatsApp supports several text-formatting options that can make messages easier to read.
- Bold:
*your text* - Italic:
_your text_ Strikethrough:~your text~Monospace:Use three backticks around the text.
On supported versions, you may also select text and use the formatting controls provided by WhatsApp.
Tip 9: Message Yourself on WhatsApp
The Message Yourself feature can work like a simple personal notes area inside WhatsApp.
You can save:
- Notes
- Photos
- Documents
- Links
- Shopping lists
- Important information
- Ideas and reminders
How to use it:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap the New Chat button.
- Select Message Yourself.
- Send the information you want to keep.
Tip 10: Reply to a Specific Message
When a conversation contains many messages, replying directly to a particular message makes the conversation much easier to understand.
- Long-press the message.
- Tap Reply.
- Write your response.
- Send the message.
The original message will appear alongside your reply, helping everyone understand what you are responding to.
Tip 11: Pin Important Chats
If you frequently message certain people or groups, pinning their chats can save time.
How to pin a chat:
- Long-press the chat.
- Select Pin.
This is useful for family conversations, important clients, work groups, and business customers.
Tip 12: Star Important Messages
Instead of searching through a long conversation later, you can star important messages and find them more easily.
How to star a message:
- Long-press the message.
- Tap the Star icon.
You can star addresses, phone numbers, important links, instructions, booking details, or other information you may need again.
Tip 13: Use WhatsApp Search
If you have hundreds or thousands of messages, scrolling through a conversation can take a lot of time.
WhatsApp's search feature lets you look for keywords and phrases inside your chats, helping you find older information faster.
This is one of the simplest productivity features for people who use WhatsApp heavily.
WhatsApp Calls and Computer Tips
Tip 14: Reduce WhatsApp Call Data Usage
Long voice and video calls can consume mobile data, especially when you are using cellular internet instead of Wi-Fi.
WhatsApp provides a setting that can reduce mobile data usage for calls on supported versions.
How to check:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings → Storage and Data.
- Look for the call-related data usage option.
- Enable the lower-data option if it is available.
The exact wording and availability can change between WhatsApp versions.
Tip 15: Use WhatsApp on Your Computer
You can use WhatsApp on a computer through WhatsApp Web or the official desktop application.
How to link your computer:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Go to Settings → Linked Devices.
- Tap Link a Device.
- Open WhatsApp Web or the official WhatsApp desktop app on your computer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link the device.
Using WhatsApp on a computer is particularly useful when you need to type long messages, manage customer conversations, or work while using a laptop.
Tip 16: Make WhatsApp Calls From Your Computer
On supported computers, operating systems, and WhatsApp versions, you can make voice and video calls through the WhatsApp desktop experience.
This can be convenient for freelancers, remote workers, students, and business owners who spend much of their day on a computer.
Tip 17: Share Your Screen During a WhatsApp Video Call
Screen sharing can be useful when you want to explain an app, show a website, review a document, or help someone solve a technical problem.
How to share your screen:
- Start a WhatsApp video call.
- Open the call controls.
- Select the screen-sharing option.
- Confirm that you want to share your screen.
WhatsApp Status Tips
Tip 18: Control Who Can See Your Status
You do not have to share every Status update with every contact.
WhatsApp provides audience controls that can help you decide who can see your Status updates.
Depending on your app version, options can include:
- My Contacts
- My Contacts Except...
- Only Share With...
Before posting a personal Status, check the audience setting if you want more control over who can view it.
Tip 19: Understand Status Privacy and Read Receipts
Read Receipts can affect whether certain activity information is visible when interacting with WhatsApp Status.
If you want to review this setting:
- Go to Settings → Privacy.
- Check the Read Receipts setting.
- Choose the option that matches your privacy preference.
Note: Disabling Read Receipts also changes what read information you can see from other users. Behaviour can vary depending on the WhatsApp feature and app version.
Tip 20: Use WhatsApp Status Creative Features
WhatsApp Status has evolved beyond simple photos and videos. Depending on your account and app version, you may have access to creative features such as:
- Music
- Photo layouts
- Photo stickers
- Add Yours
- Emoji reactions
- Voice Status
- Audience controls
Creators and businesses can use Status to share blog posts, products, services, YouTube videos, announcements, offers, and useful updates.
Tip 21: Split Longer Videos Into Multiple Status Updates
If a video is longer than the Status video limit supported by your current WhatsApp version, you can split it into shorter clips and upload them as separate Status updates.
Video editing apps such as CapCut, VN, or another suitable editor can help you split a longer video into smaller clips.
Important: WhatsApp can change video limits and Status features through updates, so check your current app version for the latest limits.
WhatsApp Business Tips
Tip 22: Create a Professional WhatsApp Business Profile
If you run a business, online store, freelancing service, or agency, WhatsApp Business can help you present your business more professionally.
Depending on the available features, you can add information such as:
- Business name
- Category
- Business description
- Business hours
- Website
- Business address where applicable
A complete profile makes it easier for potential customers to understand what you offer before starting a conversation.
Tip 23: Create a WhatsApp Business Catalog
A WhatsApp Business Catalog can help you showcase products or services directly to customers.
Depending on your setup, catalog items can include:
- Product or service name
- Photos
- Price
- Description
- Relevant links or details
For example, a freelancer could use a catalog to showcase SEO services, website design, logo design, social media management, or content writing packages.
Tip 24: Use Quick Replies and Automated Messages
If customers regularly ask the same questions, WhatsApp Business tools can help reduce repetitive typing.
For example, you could create a quick reply such as:
/price
Here are our current service rates. Please tell us which service you are interested in.
WhatsApp Business can also provide tools such as Greeting Messages and Away Messages, depending on the current app features.
These tools can be useful for welcoming new customers and communicating when you are unavailable.
WhatsApp Channels and Audience Building
Tip 25: Create and Grow a WhatsApp Channel
WhatsApp Channels allow creators, businesses, organisations, and public figures to share updates with followers through a one-way broadcast-style format.
You can use a Channel to share:
- Blog posts
- Online earning tips
- SEO updates
- AI tools
- YouTube videos
- News and updates
- Product announcements
- Educational content
- Motivational posts
How to create a Channel:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to the Updates tab.
- Find the Channels section.
- Tap the + option.
- Select Create Channel.
- Add your Channel name, description, and profile image.
- Complete the setup.
The exact interface may vary depending on your device and WhatsApp version.
If you run a website, YouTube channel, business, or content brand, a WhatsApp Channel can be a useful way to keep your audience updated.
Bonus: Keep Your WhatsApp Account Secure
Privacy settings are important, but account security is equally important.
Never share your WhatsApp verification code or OTP with another person.
Be especially careful with:
- Unknown links
- Fake giveaways
- Impersonation messages
- Suspicious QR codes
- Unofficial WhatsApp applications
- Requests for verification codes
- Messages asking you to scan an unknown QR code
You should also check Settings → Linked Devices from time to time. If you see a device you do not recognise, remove or log it out.
If you believe someone has gained access to your account, use WhatsApp's official account recovery and verification options as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About WhatsApp
Can someone track my location through WhatsApp?
WhatsApp does not automatically give another person access to your live location. However, if you voluntarily share your Live Location with someone, they can see your location for the selected period.
Only share Live Location with people you trust.
Is WhatsApp safe and private?
WhatsApp protects personal messages and calls with end-to-end encryption.
However, privacy involves more than message encryption. Account information, device information, and other data may be processed according to WhatsApp's privacy policies.
For better privacy, regularly review your WhatsApp Privacy settings and be careful about the information you share.
Can I use WhatsApp without a SIM card?
A phone number is required to register and verify a WhatsApp account.
After registration, WhatsApp can generally be used over Wi-Fi on supported devices. However, the phone number remains associated with the account.
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