WhatsApp Rolls Out @all Feature and Other Group Chat Upgrades
WhatsApp began gradually rolling out a new @all feature for group chats on August 4, alongside poll improvements and easier creation of smaller groups. The platform also plans to launch usernames later this year.
WhatsApp, which counts more than 3 billion users, has begun gradually rolling out a new group chat feature starting August 4, continuing a string of group-focused releases this year that included message history, member tags, and event reminders. The platform has supported groups of up to 1,024 members since 2022.
The @all Tag
Typing @all now notifies every member of a group, including those who muted the chat long ago, overriding individual notification settings. WhatsApp frames the feature as a tool for urgent situations, such as last-minute changes or cancellations.
To curb potential misuse, only admins can trigger @all in groups larger than 32 people, and the feature can be switched off entirely. Users can also mute @all alerts separately from muting the chat itself. The 32-person threshold matches the cap WhatsApp already applies to group calls, marking a rough dividing line between a chat and a broadcast channel.
Poll Improvements
WhatsApp's polling feature, end-to-end encrypted since 2022, has received several practical fixes. Users can now set an end time that automatically locks voting once it expires, giving groups a firm deadline. Voter names can also be hidden for the first time, a shift from the platform's previous fully transparent poll design. Additionally, a poll question can now be edited within 15 minutes of posting, matching the existing edit window for regular messages.
Spinning Off New Groups
Users can now create a new, smaller group chat directly from an existing one in a single tap, without manually adding members. WhatsApp suggests this is useful for organizing surprises or side conversations that would otherwise clutter the main chat.
Usernames on the Way
WhatsApp also recently announced that usernames will launch later this year, letting people connect without sharing phone numbers. The optional feature allows users to change or remove their username at any time, and it does not need to match their identity on other platforms. Reservations began in June, and users will be able to add a unique four-digit key before others can contact them. Names tied to celebrities, public figures, and government bodies will be reserved for their legitimate owners.
