WhatsApp adds ‘Vacation Mode’ that will make your holidays much more peaceful
Block out those frustrating spam messages with this new feature
WHATSAPP has created a new Vacation Mode to help you de-stress on holidays.
The feature will make it easy to avoid being disturbed by nagging chatterboxes, and is just as useful even when you're still at home in the UK.
Specialist WhatsApp diggers WABetaInfo the feature in a "beta test" version of the app.
It's called Vacation Mode, and it makes it possible to hide conversations, and keep them hidden (including from your notifications) even when new messages arrive.
It's a toggle-on setting available for both iPhone and Android users, and is "coming soon" according to the site.
The feature works using the archive function, which already exists inside WhatsApp.
If you archive a message today, it'll be hidden from your main chat page.
But if someone sends a new message in that chat, it becomes un-archived – and you'll receive a notification.
With Vacation Mode turned on, archived messages will stay muted and hidden always.
That means if someone sends a message in the archived chat, you won't get a pop-up and the conversation will stay out of the main section of your app.
You could archive annoying work chats, and leave friends and family in your core app – giving you a chance to properly unwind on hols.
The feature isn't available yet, but it's located in Settings > Notifications – so keep an eye out for future updates.
WABetaInfo's report also noted that Facebook-owned WhatsApp is added another surprise feature: Linked Accounts.
This would let you link your accounts with third-party services, although the exact reason for this isn't obvious.
The current theory is that it would help you recover your Facebook or Instagram account using the WhatsApp app in the future.
There's also a possibility you would be able to share Status/Story updates between the three apps.
WhatsApp has made a number of key changes to its app recently.
For instance, late last year we got the ability to delete WhatsApp messages, unsending them from recipients before they get a chance to read the text.
And earlier this year, WhatsApp began blocking you from sending some texts to limit spam and hoax mail-chains.
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We've asked WhatsApp for comment on when the Vacation Mode will be released for all users, and will update this story with any response.
What new features would you like to see added to WhatsApp? Let us know in the comments!
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