WhatsApp has announced the rollout of a long-desired feature that improves the group experience for users. When a new member joins a group, they will now be able to access a history of prior messages, allowing them to catch up on discussions that occurred before their arrival. This feature is especially beneficial in group settings where planning, such as birthday parties, takes place, as it eliminates the confusion for newcomers who are unaware of past conversations.

The new group message history feature enables group admins to share between 25 to 100 previous messages with new members, thus providing them with immediate context about ongoing discussions. This addition reduces the need for existing members to share screenshots or relay messages individually, which is often tedious. It also ensures that shared messages remain end-to-end encrypted, maintaining user privacy and security.

Furthermore, group admins will have control over this feature; they can choose to restrict other members from sharing older messages. However, admins themselves will always retain the ability to share the message history. This capability not only enhances the utility of group chats but also fosters a more inclusive environment for new participants, ensuring they feel informed and engaged from the moment they join.