WhatsApp is working on threaded replies in group chats

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Last March, WhatsApp beta for Android introduced a much-requested feature for busy group chats: threaded replies. Now, the iOS beta has added support as well, hinting that a public launch may be getting close. Here’s what it looks like.

As reported by WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp TestFlight beta lays the groundwork for threaded message replies, a long-awaited feature that will let users view and participate in structured threads tied to a specific message.

Here’s how WABetaInfo describes the expected behavior:

“By tapping on this indicator, users will be able to open a new screen that displays all replies related to the original message in an organized view. (…) Within this new screen, users will not only be able to read all the replies but also send a new reply directly, which will automatically be added to the same thread. This ensures continuity and keeps related messages neatly grouped together.”

In the example shown, the initial message includes a reply count, but the responses aren’t yet presented in the typical threaded format seen in apps like Slack. Still, as claimed by WABetaInfo, tapping the indicator should open a separate screen showing all related replies.

Depending on how active your group chats are, it can be tough to jump back in after a few hours and make sense of all the overlapping conversations. Threaded replies can go a long way in organizing the chaos, provided everyone in the group actually uses them.

New features target group chat overload

Threaded replies aren’t the only way WhatsApp is trying to make group chats easier to follow.

The app recently rolled out AI-powered message summaries for users in the U.S., offering quick recaps of unread messages on demand, and a broader rollout to other countries is expected soon.

As for threaded replies, WhatsApp is now testing the feature on iOS after several months of Android beta testing, which suggests the feature could launch soon.

Do you already use a messaging app that provides threaded replies? Are you excited about WhatsApp finally adding this feature? Let us know in the comments.