01/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 1, 2026 theSunday Special IV

7. Organised chats for busy Malaysians WhatsApp Communities lets you group multiple WhatsApp groups into one um EUHOOD ± D QHDW ZD\ IRU Ṙ FHV VFKRROV RU neighbourhood Rukun Tetangga to stay organised. Admins can share announce ments to all subgroups at once. Malaysians got early access back in 2022, but more features keep rolling out. 8. Mute groups without leaving Caught in group chat overload? You can PXWH JURXS QRWL¿FDWLRQV IRU KRXUV RU GD\V without leaving the app. Useful when your project team chat gets busy or you are tired RI ZHHNHQG VDOH QRWL¿FDWLRQV 9. Bulk message summaries using Meta AI WhatsApp is rolling out Meta AI for summarising unread messages – helpful for high-volume groups or busy project threads. You can catch up in one swipe instead of scrolling endlessly. It runs privately on your device and shows no QRWL¿FDWLRQV WR RWKHUV Currently available in English for the US region, with expansion expected. 10. Handy self-reminder via personal chat Did you know you can send messages to yourself on WhatsApp? Use it as a quick to-do list or reminder stash. Draft a note to yourself like “buy groceries at the next mamak stop” and revisit it when needed. Just search for your own number or “Mes sages to Yourself” in WhatsApp. Quick feature overview

Hidden WhatsApp features we should be using BY ASHRAF WAHAB

I N our busy Klang Valley lives, WhatsApp isn’t just an app – it’s basically a second inbox. From work chat to family group banter and even community football club updates, it’s always buzzing. Even school updates for teachers, students and parents have their own WhatsApp group. However, most of us only stick to the basics: sending messages, voice notes and the occasional sticker. But as it turns out, WhatsApp hides some pretty nifty tricks – some designed for privacy, some for convenience and some that are just fun. Here’s your friendly guide to What sApp’s hidden features. Think of them as shortcuts you never knew you needed. 1. Chat lock and secret code: Keep nosy eyes away Got messages you would rather keep private? WhatsApp lets you lock indi vidual chats with Face ID, Touch ID or a ¿QJHUSULQW %HWWHU \HW \RX FDQ KLGH WKHP behind a secret code so they do not even appear in your main chat list. This can be useful if you often lend your phone to coworkers or friends. How to activate: Long-press a chat ĺ Choose “Lock chat” ĺ Follow prompts to hide it behind a password or biometric unlock. 2. Voice-to-text transcription: Read voice notes silently We have all received long voice notes right when you are on a quiet LRT train. Now you can silently read them instead. WhatsApp’s voice message transcription (currently rolling out on iOS and expand ing to Android) turns voice notes into text, letting you catch up without blasting your earphones or disturbing the person next to you.

Feature

Why it’s useful for Malaysians

Chat lock + Secret code

Keeps private chats hidden when lending your phone

Voice-to-text transcription

Reads voice notes quietly during meetings or travel

Draft messages

Prevents losing long messages by accident

Text formatting Highlights key information in work chats

Draft messages are saved automatically for later.

Real-time location Coordinates ride pickups accurately

3. Message drafts: Never lose an XQ¿QLVKHG WKRXJKW Ever typed a long message and got dis tracted before hitting “Send”, only to come back and lose it? WhatsApp now saves your unsent messages as “Drafts” and pins them at the top of your chat list with a green bold “Draft” label. Ideal for those long catch-up messages you scribble while on the go. 4 7H[W IRUPDWWLQJ $GG VRPH ÀDLU to your chat Want to stand out in a corporate What sApp message or casually cross out sar casm? Use these simple formatting codes: • Bold with asterisks (*text*) • Italics with underscores (_ text _) • Strikethrough with tildes (~this~) • Monospace with triple back-ticks ( text ) All platforms supported: Android, iOS,

Web and Mac. 5. Real-time location sharing: Keep your friends in the loop W KHWKHU \RX DUH VWXFN LQ WUḊ F RU KHDGLQJ KRPH IURP DQ Ṙ FH SDUW\ \RX FDQ VKDUH your live location so someone knows exactly when to pick you up. In a chat, tap the attachment button ĺ select Location ĺ choose “Share real-time location” and set how long it is active. This is handy for coordinating rides or letting family track your ETA. 6. Convert short videos to GIFs: Instant reaction tools I I \RX DUH KDOIZD\ WKURXJK DQ Ṙ FH FKDW and want to send a quick, funny reaction – not a full video – WhatsApp lets you convert a six-second clip into a looping GIF. Just trim your video in the app and tap the GIF button. No extra editor apps needed.

Video ĺ GIF

Sends quick reactions without leaving the app

Communities

Organises work or community chats

Mute Groups

Stays in groups quietly during downtime

Meta AI summaries Catches up swiftly on busy chats

Self-reminder chat Keeps personal notes in one place

WhatsApp does more than just chat; it is a toolkit waiting for Malaysians to unlock. Whether you are juggling work and family, heading to a meeting in KLCC or trying to keep your phone life tidy, these features can make everyday messaging easier.