Source: WABetaInfo
WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that makes it easier to find important messages in busy group chats. The new Mentions and Replies filter allows users to quickly locate conversations where someone has mentioned them or replied to their messages, without searching through their entire chat list.
The feature is available to selected Android beta testers through WhatsApp beta version 2.26.42.12 on the Google Play Store. It aims to solve a common problem for users who participate in multiple active groups and communities, where important messages can easily get buried under hundreds of new conversations.
WhatsApp Adds a New Mentions and Replies Filter
The new filter appears at the top of WhatsApp's Chats tab alongside existing options such as Unread, Favorites and Groups. When users select it, the app displays only conversations containing mentions or replies directed at them.
WhatsApp also displays a badge indicating the number of conversations that require attention. If there are no matching conversations, users see an empty screen with an option to return to the full chat list.
Unlike traditional chat filters that organize conversations by category, the new feature focuses on interactions specifically involving the user. This makes it easier to identify messages that may require a response.
How the New WhatsApp Filter Works
The Mentions and Replies filter covers two types of interactions. The first is a mention, when someone tags a user in a group conversation. The second is a reply, when another participant responds directly to one of the user's messages.
Both types of interactions appear in the same filtered list, reducing the need to open multiple group chats and search through their message histories.
The feature also supports community group chats, making it useful for users who participate in large WhatsApp communities. In these conversations, a direct question or response can quickly disappear among general discussions.
WhatsApp already sends notifications for mentions and replies, but those alerts can be missed or cleared. The new filter provides a convenient way to return to relevant conversations afterward.
Users Can Customize the New Chat Filter
WhatsApp is also giving users control over how the new filter appears in the app. Although it can appear automatically when enabled for an account, the feature is optional.
Users can disable the filter through the app's settings or move it to the separate More section if they prefer to keep the main Chats tab uncluttered.
This flexibility allows people who regularly receive mentions to keep the shortcut readily accessible, while other users can avoid adding another filter to their chat interface.
The update builds on WhatsApp's broader effort to make chat filters more customizable and improve navigation across the messaging app.
When Will WhatsApp Release the Feature to Everyone?
The Mentions and Replies filter is currently rolling out to a limited number of Android beta testers using version 2.26.42.12. Availability is gradual, so installing the latest beta does not guarantee that the feature will immediately appear.
WhatsApp has not announced an official release date for all Android users or confirmed when the feature will arrive on iPhone.
Users who cannot access the filter yet will need to wait for a wider rollout. In the meantime, they can continue using existing notifications, chat search and other available filters to locate important conversations.
Final Thoughts
WhatsApp's new Mentions and Replies filter could be a useful improvement for anyone managing busy group chats and communities. By collecting relevant conversations in one place, it helps users find direct mentions and replies even after their notifications disappear.
The ability to customize or hide the filter also gives users more control over their chat list. Although the feature remains limited to selected Android beta testers, a wider release could make managing important conversations considerably easier.
For now, WhatsApp has not confirmed when the new filter will become available to everyone.