WhatsApp New Feature 2026: Find Group Mentions and Replies in One Tap

WhatsApp Latest Update, October 24, 2026: Missing important messages in busy WhatsApp groups could soon become less of a problem. The messaging platform is testing a new feature that helps users quickly identify group conversations where someone has mentioned them or replied to their messages.

The feature, called Mentions and Replies, introduces a dedicated chat filter that brings relevant group conversations together in one place. Instead of searching through several groups to find a particular response, users will be able to access conversations requiring their attention directly from the main Chats screen.

According to a report by WhatsApp feature-tracking website WABetaInfo, the new option has been spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.12.

The feature is currently available to selected beta testers, with a wider rollout expected later. However, WhatsApp has not announced a confirmed release date for all users.

WhatsApp Introduces a New Chat Filter

WhatsApp already provides several filters to help users organise their conversations. These include options such as Unread, Favorites and Groups.

The upcoming Mentions and Replies filter is designed to make this system more useful, particularly for people who participate in multiple group conversations.

When someone mentions a user in a group or replies to one of their messages, the relevant conversation can appear under the new filter.

This means users will no longer need to open every group individually to check whether someone has responded to them.

The feature could be particularly helpful for office teams, family groups, educational communities and other groups where messages arrive frequently.

By collecting these interactions in a dedicated section, WhatsApp aims to make important conversations easier to locate.

How Does the Mentions and Replies Feature Work?

The new filter appears near the top of WhatsApp's Chats tab, alongside other conversation filters.

Once available, users can select the Mentions and Replies option to see group chats containing relevant interactions.

The filter is designed to highlight conversations where another participant has directly mentioned the user or replied to a message they previously sent.

For example, suppose a person belongs to ten WhatsApp groups and receives hundreds of messages throughout the day.

If someone mentions that person in an office group or replies to their question in a family group, the relevant chats can appear in the new filtered view.

This makes it easier to identify conversations that may need a response.

If there are no pending mentions or replies, the filter displays an empty view rather than showing unrelated conversations.

A Badge Will Show Pending Mentions and Replies

Another useful part of the feature is its notification-style badge.

According to the report, WhatsApp displays a badge on the filter to indicate how many conversations contain pending mentions or replies.

This allows users to see whether any relevant interactions are waiting without opening each group.

For instance, if three different group conversations contain pending interactions, the badge may indicate that three chats require attention.

The badge is intended to provide a quick overview rather than requiring users to manually count messages.

However, the exact badge behaviour may change during beta testing before the feature becomes widely available.

WhatsApp Communities Will Also Be Supported

The new feature is not limited to ordinary WhatsApp groups.

According to the report, it also supports relevant conversations within WhatsApp Communities.

Communities allow administrators to bring multiple related groups together under a broader structure.

These may include residential associations, schools, organisations, professional networks and other large groups.

Because Communities can contain numerous conversations, important replies and mentions may become difficult to track.

The Mentions and Replies filter could help members locate relevant interactions without reviewing every message.

For example, a resident participating in several community groups may be able to identify a direct reply about maintenance or an announcement more quickly.

This could make large WhatsApp Communities easier to manage.

Why Is This Feature Different From Notifications?

WhatsApp already sends notifications when users are mentioned or when someone replies to their messages, depending on their notification settings.

However, notifications are not always convenient for finding older interactions.

A user may clear their notifications, open the application without reading a particular message or receive several alerts at the same time.

Once those alerts are dismissed, locating the original conversation may require additional searching.

The new filter offers a different approach.

Instead of relying only on temporary notifications, it provides a dedicated place within the Chats tab for relevant conversations.

This means users can return to the filter when they have time to review pending interactions.

The feature may be especially useful for people who mute busy groups but still want to find messages directed specifically at them.

Its exact interaction with muted chats and notification preferences will depend on the final implementation.

How to Find the New WhatsApp Filter

Users who receive access to the beta feature can look for it within the main Chats screen.

The reported process is straightforward:

1. Open WhatsApp on an Android smartphone.

2. Go to the Chats tab.

3. Look at the filters displayed near the top of the conversation list.

4. Find the Mentions and Replies option, if available.

5. Tap the filter to view group conversations containing pending mentions or replies.

If the feature does not appear, it may not yet be enabled for that account.

Installing the latest beta version does not guarantee immediate access because WhatsApp is rolling out the feature gradually.

Can Users Hide the Mentions and Replies Filter?

Yes. According to the report, the new filter is optional.

Although WhatsApp may add it automatically when the feature becomes available, users are not required to keep it permanently visible in the main filter row.

Those who prefer a cleaner Chats screen may be able to move the filter into the More section.

This allows the option to remain accessible without occupying space among frequently used filters.

Users can then open the additional filters menu whenever they want to check mentions or replies.

The precise settings and menu arrangement may vary as WhatsApp continues testing the feature.

Who Will Receive the Feature First?

The Mentions and Replies filter has reportedly appeared in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.12.

At present, only selected beta testers have access.

WhatsApp frequently introduces experimental features to a limited number of users before making them available more widely.

This approach allows the company to evaluate performance, identify problems and refine the user experience.

As a result, two people using the same beta version may not necessarily see identical features.

Users who have not received the new filter will need to wait for WhatsApp to expand availability.

The report does not confirm when the feature will reach the stable Android application or whether an iPhone rollout will happen simultaneously.

WhatsApp Mentions and Replies: Key Details

Why This Update Could Be Useful for Group Members

Many WhatsApp users belong to several active groups, including work teams, family circles, neighbourhood associations and school communities.

In large groups, important messages can quickly disappear beneath newer conversations.

The new filter could help users focus on messages that are directly relevant to them.

For professionals, this may mean finding a colleague's response without scrolling through an entire discussion.

For students, it could make it easier to locate replies to questions posted in class groups.

For families, it may help members notice messages in which they have been directly mentioned.

The feature does not replace ordinary group notifications or the search function, but it adds another way to organise conversations.

Its usefulness will ultimately depend on how accurately it identifies pending interactions and how smoothly it works in everyday use.

Should You Update WhatsApp Now?

Keeping WhatsApp updated is generally recommended because new versions can include security improvements, bug fixes and additional functionality.

Android users can check for available updates through the Google Play Store.

However, the Mentions and Replies filter is currently described as a limited beta feature.

Updating the regular WhatsApp application does not guarantee access.

Users should also avoid downloading unofficial WhatsApp APK files or modified applications simply to obtain experimental features.

Such applications can create privacy and account-security risks.

It is safer to install updates through official app stores and wait for WhatsApp to make the feature available to the account.

Final Takeaway

WhatsApp is testing a new Mentions and Replies filter designed to make group conversations easier to manage.

The feature brings together chats where users have been mentioned or received replies, displays a badge for pending interactions and also supports relevant WhatsApp Community conversations.

Users who prefer a simpler interface can reportedly move the filter into an additional menu rather than keeping it permanently visible.

For now, the feature is limited to selected Android beta testers using version 2.26.42.12. WhatsApp has not confirmed when it will become available to everyone.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the supplied October 24, 2026 report describing WhatsApp's beta testing. Features, menu options and availability may change before the public release.