• WhatsApp’s new chat filters help users quickly find specific conversations without scrolling through their entire inbox.
• Three initial filter options are available: All, Unread, and Groups.
• The Unread filter shows only unread or unmarked messages, helping users prioritize responses.
• The Groups filter consolidates all group chats in one place for easier access.

WhatsApp has introduced a useful new feature to help users manage the growing number of conversations on the platform – chat filters. 

As messaging with friends, family, and coworkers increases, finding specific chats can become challenging. 

Filters provide an effective solution by allowing quick access to conversations without scrolling endlessly.

The Introduction of WhatsApp Chat Filters

WhatsApp saw messaging habits evolving and saw the need to introduce filters. As more conversations occurred daily across various topics and groups, users struggled to find specific chats amidst cluttered inboxes. 

The platform took inspiration from filtering successes on other services to bring order and accessibility to private messaging through a simple categorization approach.

How the New WhatsApp Filters Help Declutter Your Inbox

Three initial filter types are available:

1. All Chats

The “All” filter is the default view that shows every conversation together in one place. This includes both individual chats between two people and group chats with multiple participants.

By displaying all message types collectively, the “All” filter provides a comprehensive overview of your entire chat history on WhatsApp. This is useful for those who don’t require conversations to be categorized.

2. Unread Messages

The “Unread” filter helps you focus only on conversations that need a response by collecting all chats with unopened messages in one filtered list. This includes individual and group chats that contain text, photos or other content that has yet to be seen. 

Clearing notifications and responding to important updates on priority is made simple by this categorization. The streamlined view saves the time of manually searching for conversations requiring a reply.

3. Group Chats

Group discussions have become an integral part of WhatsApp communication, enabling collaboration and coordination. However, locating specific team or club chats within the unified inbox could be challenging. 

The “Groups” filter addresses this issue by isolating all multi-member conversations into their dedicated section, separate from one-on-one chats. 

Hence, you can easily find and participate in the relevant group discussions they need without sifting through the disorganized default view. 

Meta AI Integration to WhatsApp

At its recent Meta Connect event, the company announced plans to introduce its advanced AI technology to WhatsApp. 

Meta’s conversational AI platform is designed to have natural discussions and assist users through messaging. 

In late 2023, some American WhatsApp users gained early experimental access to a preliminary version of this intelligent chatbot feature. 

As the rollout progresses, it remains to be seen how the seamless integration of an AI assistant may enhance the messaging experience on the platform long-term.

The post How WhatsApp Filters Can Help Declutter Your Inbox appeared first on AppDrum.

• Redesigned app navigation for easier access
• Screen sharing feature for video calls
• Locked chats authentication on all linked devices

WhatsApp has announced new updates rolling out this month focused on usability, video calls, and account security.

The navigation menu within the app is receiving a redesigned structure for improved quick access to key features directly from the home screen. A new screen-sharing feature is also being introduced for WhatsApp video calls.

Additionally, the locked chats feature now allows protected conversations to be accessed on linked devices through verification with a unique PIN code, beyond only the primary device.

What’s New on WhatsApp?

These are the newest features on WhatsApp

1. Redesigned Navigation 

The side navigation menu has received a complete reorganization for quicker access to key areas of the app. Chats, Updates, and Communities now appear at the bottom for more convenient visibility and interaction. 

An additional shortcut for accessing calls faster has also been added at the bottom menu. The redesigned structure aims to reduce taps and make commonly used options more prominent directly from the home screen.

Image: Screenshot of the updated navigation menu. Source: WABetaInfo

2. Screen Sharing in Video Calls 

A new screen-sharing feature has been added to WhatsApp video calls. This allows you to collaboratively view photos, and documents, or browse websites together during calls.

On Android, you simply need to tap the screen sharing button and select the desired window or app to share. The procedure for screen sharing is the same for almost all operating systems. 

The shared content will display picture-in-picture so callers can still see each other during the session. Screen sharing opens up possibilities like remote collaboration on projects, tutorials, or making joint travel plans directly from a call.

Image: Screenshot of the screen-sharing session. Source: WABetaInfo

3. Locked Chats Access on Linked Devices

In the previous update WhatsApp enhanced the privacy of locked chats with the new update. However, they can only be accessed on your primary device.

In the new update, they can now be accessed on linked devices. When accessing locked chats on a linked device, you now only need to enter your PIN and you will be let in.

By inputting the personalized PIN, locked threads that were previously confined to one device can now be discreetly viewed across your laptops, tablets, or other linked platforms. This provides added convenience without compromising the privacy of protected discussions.

The locked chats function seamlessly synchronizes encrypted content between primary and linked devices through the use of a user-generated PIN. It aims to improve the overall WhatsApp experience by keeping sensitive exchanges discreet everywhere you access your accounts.

Image: Screenshot of two-step authentication setup. Source: WABetaInfo

Reported Bugs After Update

• Verification code not received: A few users mentioned facing problems receiving the one-time PIN code needed to verify their identity on WhatsApp.
• Difficulty leaving communities: In previous updates, once a user exited a community chat, they were unable to delete it from their chat list. This was not fixed in this new update.
• Dislike of the bottom navigation bar: Several reviewers strongly dislike the redesigned bottom navigation structure, finding it inconvenient and difficult to use compared to the previous version.

The post WhatsApp Updates April 2024: App Navigation, Screen Sharing, Authentication appeared first on AppDrum.

• Improved anti-ban system to prevent account bans
• Redesigned user interface with customization options
• Search messages by date
• Support for multiple WhatsApp accounts
• Bug fixes and performance improvements

FM WhatsApp just rolled out the April 2024 version, its biggest update yet for 2024. This modified version of WhatsApp brings many new features and improvements focused on enhancing privacy, customization, and the overall experience on your phone.

The developers have also doubled down on protecting you from getting banned. They’ve upgraded the anti-ban system to better mask your use of FM WhatsApp from WhatsApp’s detectors.

What’s New in FM WhatsApp?

These are the new features you’ll get with FM WhatsApp:

1. Anti-Ban System Upgrades

The core anti-ban features under the hood got a major boost. It now fixes SMS/call verification issues some faced when setting up new numbers. 

The feature also stops WhatsApp from collecting your data to help prevent tracking of modified app use. Plus, it randomizes your device info and traffic patterns for added stealth against their evolving detection methods.

While not a permanent solution, the upgrade helps add an extra layer of obfuscation against WhatsApp’s evolving detection methods for banned clients.

2. Redesigned User Interface

FM WhatsApp brings a fresh, sleek new look to the app interface and customization options:

• Apply custom accent colors, background patterns/images, and change chat bubble colors and styles.
• Customize call screen colors, notification icon colors.
• The UI looks cleaner and brings popular desktop app designs to your phone screen.
• Quoted message customizer for customizing the colors of quoted message boxes in conversations for better visibility and organization.
• The new UI also integrates the latest official WhatsApp UI design for a more consistent experience.
• Light/Dark Mode is finally available in the GBMods settings menu.

Source: fmmods.com

3. Multiple Accounts Support

With the multiple accounts feature, you can now easily switch between two or more active WhatsApp profiles linked to different phone numbers directly from the FM WhatsApp app on your device. 

Keep your conversations separate from work or client chats. You no longer need to sign out and back in again to change accounts. It also allows using different accounts simultaneously for chatting with friends and colleagues on your phone.

Source: Screenshot

4. Status Features

The latest version enables you to send text, image, and media Status updates from your linked devices. You cannot send status updates on linked devices when using normal WhatsApp.

Source: Telegram/FouadMODS

5. Bug Fixes & Improvements

Along with the new features, FM WhatsApp also includes several bug fixes and performance improvements:

• Fixed crashes experienced on some devices
• Improved voice message playback
• Reduced duplicate notification issues
• Faster message-sending times

6. New Installation Procedure

To install FM WhatsApp, existing users must uninstall any previously modded WhatsApp versions first and then download and install the new version. 

To keep your chat history, you must rename the WhatsApp data folder to match the new FM WhatsApp package name before installing it.

Here are the key steps:

• Uninstall your existing FM WhatsApp or other modded app
• Go to Android > Media >WhatsApp folder
• Rename this folder to FM WhatsApp
• Install the new FM WhatsApp version
• Setup your account, and chats should be restored
• Clear any residual WhatsApp cache/data from your device’s app settings if you have installation issues.

Reported Bugs After the New FM WhatsApp Update

Some users have reported the following bugs after installing the latest FM WhatsApp update:

• Installation Failed: Several users couldn’t install the new version even after uninstalling the previous modded app and following the renaming instructions.
• Crashes on Certain Devices: The update is causing crashes and freezes on select device models, rendering FM WhatsApp unusable.
• Delayed Notifications: Some users are experiencing delayed or missed notifications for new messages.
• Background Battery Drain: There are complaints of excessive battery drain when FM WhatsApp runs in the background.

The post FM WhatsApp April 2024 Update: Anti-ban, New UI, & More appeared first on AppDrum.

But is FM WhatsApp safe? Well, likely not. While the additional features seem appealing, the mod lacks critical security protections and endorsements officially provided by Meta. As an unauthorized mod, there are inherent risks to data and privacy. 

This article will thoroughly investigate whether this modification is safe, what its features are, and more.

What Is FM WhatsApp?

FM WhatsApp is an unofficial moded third-party variant of the popular WhatsApp messenger. It is made from the original closed-source WhatsApp codebase and has been augmented through a process known as forking to add more features.

As such, it cannot be downloaded directly from official app stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. So you have to download FM WhatsApp from third-party websites offering the APK file for Android devices or app file for iOS devices.

FM WhatsApp’s Features

This modified version of WhatsApp has the following features:

Themes Store

• Access hundreds of themes from the YoThemes Store
• Download and customize themes, icons, fonts, etc.
• Special emoji packs like Facebook, Android P, etc

Privacy Features

• Hide online status, hide “typing” indicator
• Disable blue ticks (read receipts)
• Increased control over who can see profile photo, about section

Media Sharing Capabilities

• Send up to 90 images in one go instead of just 30
• Share files up to 700MB (vs 100MB on WhatsApp)
• Additional supported formats: APK, RAR, ZIP, etc.
• Share images in original quality with no compression

Message Recall and Deletion

• Delete messages for everyone up to 48 hours after sending
• Recall deleted messages from the recipient’s phone during the same period

App Security Features

• Passcode lock and fingerprint lock capability
• Change the default launch icon for the app
• Customize notification bar icons

Is FM WhatsApp Fake or Real?

FM WhatsApp is not a real standalone platform. It has merely replicated and piggybacked on the existing WhatsApp infrastructure through unofficial modification.

Without WhatsApp’s core framework, FM WhatsApp apk would not function. It relies entirely on copy-pasting from the original WhatsApp code to work.

The developers have just tweaked certain interface elements and added plugins.

Is FM WhatsApp Safe for Private Messaging?

No, FM WhatsApp is generally not safe, and here is why:

1. Lacks End-to-End Encryption

FM WhatsApp lacks end-to-end encryption offered by official WhatsApp, exposing chats and media to potential hacking vulnerabilities. It also remains unclear how the mod handles user data, if they log conversations, or share private info with unknown third parties.

2. Potential Unauthorized Access Risks

By necessity, FM WhatsApp requests intrusive device permissions to function. But, without accountability, these access rights could be exploited for device data harvesting or surveillance without user consent. 

3. Device Performance Issues

FM WhatsApp is only optimized for additional features rather than performance or security. It poses device compatibility risks, from performance glitches to full-on crashes. 

4. No Clear Way to Receive Updates

This moded version does not receive vital security patches, or fixes rolled out to official WhatsApp. This leaves mods prone to old loopholes that allow sneaky malware attacks to defeat already addressed vulnerabilities in original platforms.

5. Security Infrastructure Issues

FM WhatsApp operates outside WhatsApp infrastructure and bypasses its security mechanisms through unofficial modifications. This opens vulnerabilities an endorsed app would not have.

Does FM WhatsApp Leak Data?

FM WhatsApp, being an unofficial third-party modification, lacks transparency about its data handling practices.

As such, there is a high risk that it could potentially leak user data, such as personal messages, to unknown entities without user consent or knowledge. So, overall, is FM WhatsApp safe from data leaks? Well, no. 

Is FM WhatsApp Legal?

No, it is illegal as it involves unauthorized modification and distribution of WhatsApp’s proprietary code. This amounts to intellectual property theft.

Decompiling and altering WhatsApp’s closed-source code without permission from the copyright holder (Meta Inc) violates the terms of service and software licenses. 

Which Is Better: FM WhatsApp or GB WhatsApp?

Neither FM WhatsApp nor GB WhatsApp is better or recommended. Both are illegal modifications of the official WhatsApp application.

These unauthorized mods infringe on WhatsApp’s intellectual property rights, lack necessary encryption, and pose device security issues.

Disadvantages of FM WhatsApp

Here are the key disadvantages of using this third-party modification:

• There is no official website or trusted source to download from
• No support team or customer service for issues
• The challenge in getting updates and new feature releases
• Risk of the account being banned by WhatsApp for mod violation
• Compatibility issues with newer Android/iOS versions
• Battery drain and performance impact on device
• Lack of quality assurance and testing

The post Is FM WhatsApp Safe? Here’s What You Really Need to Know appeared first on AppDrum.