12 Must-Know WhatsApp Tips and Tricks for 2025
Boost Privacy, Personalize Chats, and Chat Smarter—All for Free
By Jennifer Allen | Updated January 16, 2025
WhatsApp may seem simple on the surface, but there are a ton of features hidden beneath its clean design. Whether you’re new to the app or a long-time user, these tips and tricks can help you chat more efficiently, keep things private, and customize your experience like a pro—all without spending a dime.
1. 🔍 Search Through Chats Instantly
Find messages without scrolling for ages.
Instead of scrolling forever to find that one message, tap the search icon or use the search bar to search keywords, names, or phrases across all your chats. Tap the result to jump directly to the message.
2. 📍 Share Your Live Location in Real Time
Let your friends know where you are—safely.
Whether you’re meeting up or want someone to track your location for safety, WhatsApp lets you share your live location easily:
Tap + (iOS) or 📎 (Android) > Location > Share Live Location.
3. 💬 Reply to a Specific Message in Chats
Keep the conversation clear, especially in groups
To respond to a specific message and include it as a quote:
Long-press the message > Reply.
This helps avoid confusion in fast-moving conversations.
4. 📌 Pin Important Chats to the Top
Keep your favorite chats always visible
No more hunting through chat lists:
iOS: Swipe right > Pin Chat
Android: Long press > Tap the 📌 (pin) icon.
5. ✍️ Style Your Text with Formatting
Bold, italic, or strike—it’s up to you
Make your messages stand out:
*bold* → bold
_italic_ → italic
~strikethrough~ → strikethrough
6. 🖼️ Customize Chat Backgrounds
Add personality with wallpapers or photos
Go to Settings > Chats > Wallpaper and:
Choose solid colors, WhatsApp themes, or your photos for a personal touch.
7. 🔐 Send Private Replies in Group Chats
Respond one-on-one without leaving the group
Need to message someone privately from a group chat?
iOS: Hold the message > More > Reply Privately
Android: Hold > Three dots > Reply Privately
8. 📊 See Who You Chat With the Most
Break down your chat habits by contact
Get curious about your top WhatsApp buddies?
Go to: Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage
It ranks contacts by how much data you exchange—texts, photos, GIFs, videos, etc.
9. 🗂️ Archive Chats for a Cleaner Inbox
Hide conversations without deleting them
Keep things tidy by archiving chats:
iOS: Swipe left on the chat > Archive
Android: Long press > Tap the archive folder icon
Archived chats stay hidden but accessible.
10. 📉 Control Mobile Data Usage
Stop WhatsApp from draining your data plan
To save data, limit media downloads:
Go to Settings > Storage and Data > When using mobile data
Uncheck images, audio, and videos unless connected to Wi-Fi.
11. 🖥️ Stay Online with WhatsApp Web/Desktop
Appear online even when your phone is idle
Want to appear “always online”? Use WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.
It mirrors your phone and keeps you connected—perfect for work or multitasking on your computer or iPad.
12. 👁️ Send ‘View Once’ Messages for Extra Privacy
Make your photos or videos disappear after one view
Before sending a photo or video:
Tap the (1) icon to enable View Once.
The message will vanish after it’s viewed—ideal for sensitive info like passwords or personal images.
13. 🔍 Search Messages Across Chats
Don’t waste time scrolling—use the search bar to instantly find messages, links, or keywords from all your conversations.
14. 📍 Share Your Live Location
Meeting someone? Tap the paperclip or plus icon, then choose Location > Share Live Location to let them track your movements in real-time for safety or convenience.
15. 💬 Reply to Specific Messages
Avoid confusion in group chats. Long-press a message and tap Reply to respond directly with the original message quoted.
16. 📌 Pin Conversations for Easy Access
Keep your most important chats at the top by pinning them. Swipe right (iOS) or long-press (Android), then tap the pin icon.
17. ✍️ Format Your Text
Make your messages pop:
*bold*, _italic_, ~strikethrough~.
18. 🎨 Change Chat Wallpapers
Add flair to your chats with custom wallpapers: Settings > Chats > Wallpaper to use colors or personal photos.
19. 🔒 Send Private Replies in Group Chats
Respond privately to a group message without switching chats. Hold the message > More > Reply Privately (iOS) or use the three-dot menu (Android).
20. 📊 See Who You Chat With Most
Check Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage to see who uses up the most space and messages in your chat history.
21. 🗂️ Archive Chats for a Clean Inbox
Hide less-used chats without deleting them by swiping (iOS) or long-pressing (Android) and selecting Archive.
22. 📉 Save Mobile Data
Limit auto-downloads to Wi-Fi only via Settings > Storage and Data to cut data usage.
23. 🖥️ Stay Online with WhatsApp Web
Use the desktop or web version of WhatsApp to stay “online” longer and type faster, especially on a PC or tablet.
24. 👁️ Send ‘View Once’ Photos or Videos
Tap the “1” icon before sending media to make it disappear after being viewed—ideal for private or temporary content.
