5 new WhatsApp features you can't miss

These five features will be included in the next update and are definitely worth waiting for

Whatsapp released on Friday a new update for Android smartphones with five new features.

The update which can currently only be downloaded manually allows users to mark messages as ‘unread’ by tapping and holding the conversation.

For more details and to find out about the other features, read here:

1. Mark as unread

Android users will soon be able to mark their read messages as 'unread.'

Excited? Sadly, this feature will not make it seem as if you have not read the message yet, instead it will only help you highlight important messages so you can get back to them later.



2. Custom notifications

This new feature brings with it an entire set of custom options for individual contacts, which are currently in use for everyone in your contact list.

The new added feature will enable you to know who has messaged you without even looking at your phone. An individual ringtone can also be assigned to each contact.

The new update also allows users to set notification light colours, as well as enable or disable pop-up notifications for each contact.



3. Google Drive integration

Backing up your chats, images, videos and all other forms of media will become a lot easier with this feature, which is one of the most talked about and much awaited features. It will allow your chats to be backed up to your Google accounts.

If you want to check it out yourself, go to the 'account' option in settings and you will see that the Network Usage menu mentions two new details about your data consumption: Google Drive backup bytes sent, and Google Drive backup bytes received.



4. Mute individual contacts

Hate replying to them but can't block them? At times the option of muting group conversations feels like a blessing. However, the next update will also also enable users to mute individual contacts.

Check the mute bar in the 'about' menu, slide it to the right and receive no notifications for either 8 hours, a week, or a year.



5. Lower data consumption in WhatsApp call

For people who make WhatsApp calls quite often and wish to reduce their data consumption can thank the developers for this new feature. Here's what you have to do: Settings>Chats and Calls>Low Data Usage (click the box to save some data while making WhatsApp calls).



This article originally appeared on Times of India.