Finally, It's Here: WhatsApp’s Message Editing Feature
WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging app globally, with over 2 billion users. Whether you have family and friends in the same town or abroad, with a few taps on your device screen, you can share videos, photos, and messages instantly anywhere in the world. WhatsApp keeps us connected in our personal and professional lives - so it makes sense its features keep on evolving.
The cross-platform app on Android, iOS and Windows phones has made significant changes, including the latest multi-device mode and deleting messages for everyone. After several leaks, WhatsApp has finally revealed that it is rolling out this feature, “Message Editing.”
However, the company has worked on this feature since 2022, and several have had the opportunity to test it. Some see it as a blessing, whereas others consider it a curse. At the same time, it will allow users to correct grammatical or typo errors.
But on the flip side, it can lead to a change in the meaning of a message which can raise potential disputes and misunderstandings. Many already struggle to get the right message across verbally; imagine trying to put it into context in an instant message.
You must use the updated version of the app and have a supported device if you want to edit a WhatsApp message.
Those who have tried and tested the feature mention it’s straightforward and works well. All you have to do is follow the steps below:
- Open the WhatsApp conversation you want to edit.
- Long Tap the message you want to edit.
- Select the “Edit” option from the menu.
- Make the changes you wish to, and tap the “Done” button.
- It will save your changes, and the edited message will show in the conversation.
Although you can edit a message several times, you can only do it in a specific time interval. The grace time interval is 15 minutes, whereas the option will disappear after that.
Note that this editing feature may only be available to some users only. Also, WhatsApp will notify the receiver that you’ve edited the message via a flashing bubble over the text. There will be a revised tag over the message.
Even though you can have fun with this “Message Editing” feature, it could open doors for potential abuse of sent messages. Users can use it to deceive others or manipulate conversations to their benefit. But in WhatsApp’s defense, they ensured a short time for editing messages and might adjust the time frame in the future.
Now that we know how to edit our messages, whether to add more information or correct mistakes, remember that you should use it responsibly and instead refrain from abusing the privilege to right any wrong sent.
Uhh, this has already been possible – I am not sure how but remember my brother telling me about it. I’m not a whatsapp user so not sure of the specifics, but something about sending the image as a file and somehow bypassing the default compression settings that are applied to inbound photos.
He has also used this to share movies to whatsapp groups, and files 1Gb+.
Like I said, I never used whatsapp, but I know 100% this isn’t a “brand new feature”, my brother literally showed me him doing it, like… 5 months ago?
Martin, what happened to those: 12 Comments (https://www.ghacks.net/chatgpt-gets-schooled-by-princeton-university/#comments). Is there a specific justifiable reason why they were deleted?
Hmm, it looks like the gHacks website database is faulty, and not populating threads with their relevant cosponsoring posts.
The page on ghacks this is on represents the best of why it has become so worthless, fill of click-bait junk that it’s about to be deleted from my ‘daily reads’.
It’s really like “Press Release as re-written by some d*ck for clicks…poorly.” And the subjects are laughable. Can’t wait for “How to search for files on Windows”.
> The page on ghacks this is on represents the best of why it has become so worthless, fill of click-bait junk…
Sadly, I have to agree.
Only Martin and Ashwin are worth subscribing to.
Especially Emre Çitak and Shaun are the worst ones.
If ghacks.net intended “Clickbait”, it would mark the end of Ghacks Technology News.
Ghacks doesn’t need crappy clickbaits. Clearly separate articles from newer authors (perhaps AIs and external sales person or external advertising man) as just “Advertisements”!
We, the subscribers of Ghacks, urge Martin to make a decision.
because nevermore wants to “monetize” on every aspect of human life…
“Threads” is like the Walmart of Social Media.
How hard can it be to clone a twitter version of that as well? They’re slow.
Yes, why not mention how large the HD files can be?
Why, not mention what version of WhatsApp is needed?
These omissions make the article feel so bare. If not complete.
Sorry posted on the wrong page.
such a long article for such a simple matter. Worthless article ! waste of time
I already do this by attaching them via the ‘Document’ option.
I don’t know what’s going on here at Ghacks but it’s obvious that something is broken, comments are being mixed whatever the article, I am unable to find some of my later posts neither. :S
Quoting the article,
“As users gain popularity, the value of their tokens may increase, allowing investors to reap rewards.”
Besides, beyond the thrill and privacy risks or not, the point is to know how you gain popularity, be it on social sites as everywhere in life. Is it by being authentic, by remaining faithful to ourselves or is it to have this particular skill which is to understand what a majority likes, just like politicians, those who’d deny to the maximum extent compatible with their ideological partnership, in order to grab as many of the voters they can?
I see the very concept of this Friend.tech as unhealthy, propagating what is already an increasing flaw : the quest for fame. I won’t be the only one to count himself out, definitely.
@John G. is right : my comment was posted on [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/23/what-is-friend-tech/] and it appears there but as well here at [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/07/08/how-to-follow-everyone-on-threads/]
This has been lasting for several days. Fix it or at least provide some explanations if you don’t mind.
> Google Chrome is following in Safari’s footsteps by introducing a new feature that allows users to move the Chrome address bar to the bottom of the screen, enhancing user accessibility and interaction.
Firefox did this long before Safari.
Basically they’ll do anything except fair royalties.