Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL; DR
- WhatsApp is working on a new setting that will allow users to clear their unread message count when they open the app.
- This helps users with hundreds of unread messages, giving them a cleaner app icon without actually having to open all the unread chat conversations.
- However, we can see that the feature is causing many important messages to be missed, so the user is advised to use their own discretion to see if and when the feature is rolled out.
WhatsApp remains one of the most popular instant messaging apps worldwide. Many people use it for virtually all their communications, both personal and professional, sending and receiving hundreds of messages every day. Furthermore, if you're part of multiple groups and channels, WhatsApp can become overwhelming with so much activity, and you'll soon find yourself inundated with unread messages. For those of you who often find yourself in this unenviable position, this upcoming WhatsApp feature that automatically clears your unread chat counter could save you from a lot of anxiety.
According to a report from WABetaInfoWhatsApp is exploring a new option that will allow users to clear their unread message count when they open the app.
I can definitely see this feature being useful for several people with hundreds and even thousands of unread messages. This feature would be a quick fix for them, ensuring that their app would never reach so many unread messages again.
But I also see the real possibility that the feature clears important conversations from their unread status, which could lead to you not opening the chat again (since you don't see a new message indicator and know that you need to read the important messages). This feature would definitely be a double-edged sword.
Instead, I recommend that users who encounter thousands of unread messages shorten their unnecessary conversations (such as leaving groups and channels they don't use) or periodically open selected chats to clear their unread counters. Such a general feature may have more disadvantages than advantages.
In my opinion, this feature won't mark the chat as read, so you won't get any blue check mark for reading the message. The number of unread messages will be cleared so you don't get an unread counter on your main chat screen and app icon.
This feature is expected to go live in a future release of WhatsApp. Luckily it's a switch, so you can turn it off if you don't like it.
What do you think of this upcoming WhatsApp feature? Let us know in the comments below!