WhatsApp Messenger just got an update. Did yours?
Issue 1 · Oct 13–19, 2026. This build adds optional group history sharing and more ways to manage group calls. Go ahead and update, then check the history sharing choice when adding someone to a group; the next screen explains what to consider.
About 2 minutes · what changed, then Google Play
Start NowWhat changed this week
These are the three changes in WhatsApp Messenger that stand out in the developer's update notes and on its Google Play listing this week.
- 01Choose whether newcomers see recent history
When you add someone to a group, you can now choose to share recent group history with them, giving the newcomer context for the conversation they are joining.
- 02Move group calls between your devices
Group calls gain the ability to transfer between mobile and desktop, giving you a way to change devices while taking part in a conversation with friends or family.
- 03Manage entry and focus in calls
Group calls also gain a waiting room for call links and the option to pin a participant to a bigger tile, helping you manage entry and visual focus.
Our call on whether to update, and the link to the official Google Play listing, are on this issue's WhatsApp Messenger page.
Also updated this week
WhatsApp Messenger is one of 50 apps with a full screen in Issue 1. Next up in this issue:
Tips
- Give newcomers context with care
When adding someone to an existing group, pause at the choice to share recent history. Think about whether the earlier conversation is useful context and appropriate for that person to see. For broader privacy preferences, look in the app's Settings for Privacy, while making the history decision as you add the member.
- Choose who sees your Status
Use Status for text, photos, video, or GIF updates that disappear after 24 hours. You can share with all your contacts or just selected people. Before posting something personal, decide which audience makes sense; look in the app's Settings for Status privacy if you want to review your sharing preferences.
- Use location sharing for meetups
Share your location with people in an individual or group chat when it helps coordinate a meeting. You can stop sharing at any time, so revisit the conversation once everyone has arrived. Keep the audience limited to the people who need it, rather than choosing a larger group simply because it is convenient.
Menu names follow the developer's help pages and can differ slightly between versions and phones.
How we write the digest
Each week we check the Google Play listings of the apps our readers use most: the version number, the update date and the developer's What's new notes. When an app has a new version, we put the developer's update notes and the listing details together on one page, in plain words, with a link to the official Google Play listing. Google and most developers release updates in stages over several days, so a version listed here may not have reached your phone yet. GoCompareNow is an independent site and is not affiliated with any developer. This page doesn't read your phone or your Google account, and nothing is installed from here.
FAQ
Is this the official list of WhatsApp Messenger changes?
No. This is an independent site and is not affiliated with WhatsApp LLC. The app's Google Play page is the authority for its update notes. This guide explains the listed group history and calling changes in practical terms, alongside existing WhatsApp features that may be useful when you set up or use the app.
Why does Google Play show Open instead of Update?
If Google Play shows Open, it is not currently offering you an installation update for that app. You can check again later. Separately, WhatsApp says these features will roll out over the coming weeks, so installing the latest available build does not mean every listed feature will appear at the same time.
Do new group members have to receive recent history?
The notes describe sharing recent group history as a choice you can make when adding someone to a group. Consider whether the earlier messages help the newcomer participate and whether they are appropriate to share. This is especially relevant for established groups where the conversation may have included personal details before that person joined.