Enhanced Text Formatting Options for WhatsApp Users
WhatsApp introduced four additional text formatting options worldwide on Wednesday, expanding the array of tools available to users. These new features include the ability to compose messages in bulleted points, numbered lists, and two distinct styles of quotes. These additions complement the existing formatting options such as bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace, providing users with more versatile ways to express themselves. The rollout of these new formatting tools extends across WhatsApp’s platforms, encompassing Android, iOS, Web, and Mac versions of the app.
In tandem with the introduction of enhanced text formatting, WhatsApp is reportedly testing a feature designed to safeguard user privacy by preventing unauthorized screenshots of profile pictures. This security measure aims to thwart potential misuse of profile images by unauthorized individuals. While this feature is still in the testing phase and not yet widely available, it underscores WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing user privacy and security across its platform.
During testing staff members, the functionality of the new formatting options was evaluated on WhatsApp for Android version 2.24.3.81 and the latest iteration of WhatsApp Web. The implementation of these formatting tools proved straightforward and intuitive.
For instance, users can create a bulleted list by prefacing each item with a hyphen symbol (-) followed by a space, which is automatically converted into a bullet point. Similarly, numbered lists can be initiated by typing the number one (1) followed by a period (.) and a space, facilitating easy enumeration. Additionally, block quotes can be applied by inserting the pipe symbol (|) before a sentence, which is indicated by the ‘greater than’ symbol (>) followed by a space. These intuitive formatting options empower users to customize their messages with greater precision and clarity.
Finally, the last quote option is the inline quote that shows a message inside a greyed-out bubble. To use this formatting option in WhatsApp, add the backtick symbol ( ` ) before and after a sentence, without adding any space in between. This will automatically trigger the inline quote formatting. These options have been rolled out globally and should reach all users in the coming days.
On the other hand, WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo spotted the service is working on a feature that will protect users’ profile pictures from unauthorised screenshots by others. The feature was spotted in the Android beta build version 2.24.4.25.
Once it is enabled, others will see a black screen when attempting to take a screenshot, with a message that says, “Can’t take a screenshot due to app restrictions.” This is intended to add another layer to safeguard user privacy on the platform. A similar feature is available on the Facebook app for smartphones, where a user can turn on the Profile Picture Guard option within the profile picture window — once activated, other users cannot take a screenshot of the profile page or photo.