WhatsApp New Feature 2026: Find Group Mentions and Replies in One Tap, Check How It Works

WhatsApp Latest Update 2026: Missing important messages in busy WhatsApp groups could soon become less of a problem. The popular messaging platform is introducing a new Mentions and Replies filter that helps users quickly identify group conversations where someone has tagged them or responded to their messages.

The feature is particularly useful for people who participate in several WhatsApp groups, including office teams, school communities, family conversations and professional networks.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, the new filter has been spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.12. It is currently being made available to selected beta testers through the Google Play Store.

The feature allows users to find relevant conversations without manually scrolling through long chat lists or searching individual groups.

However, the rollout is limited, and WhatsApp has not announced when the feature will become available to all Android users.

What Is WhatsApp's New Mentions and Replies Feature?

WhatsApp's latest experimental feature introduces a dedicated chat filter that highlights conversations requiring a user's attention.

In large WhatsApp groups, members often exchange hundreds of messages throughout the day. Important replies or direct mentions can easily get buried beneath other conversations.

The new Mentions and Replies filter is designed to address this problem.

Instead of checking every group separately, users can open the filter to view group chats containing pending mentions or replies to their messages.

This could make communication more manageable, especially for users who rely on WhatsApp for work-related discussions and community updates.

The feature does not introduce a new messaging system. It simply improves how users locate existing conversations that are relevant to them.

How Does the WhatsApp Mentions and Replies Filter Work?

The new filter appears near the top of WhatsApp's Chats tab, alongside existing options such as Unread, Favorites and Groups.

When users select Mentions and Replies, WhatsApp displays conversations where another participant has mentioned them or replied to a message they previously sent.

This means users can focus on interactions that directly involve them rather than reviewing every unread group message.

For example, if a colleague tags you in an office group to request information, the relevant conversation may appear in the filter.

Similarly, if someone responds to your message in a family or community group, that conversation can also be highlighted.

If there are no pending mentions or replies, the filter displays an empty view.

The feature is intended to make important group interactions easier to locate and manage.

WhatsApp Will Also Show a Badge for Pending Mentions

One of the useful elements of the new filter is a badge that indicates how many conversations contain pending mentions or replies.

This allows users to understand whether important group interactions require attention without opening each conversation.

For example, someone who belongs to several active groups may see an indicator showing that multiple conversations contain relevant activity.

They can then open the filter and review those chats directly.

The badge is designed to provide a quick overview rather than forcing users to search through the entire chat list.

This could be particularly helpful for people who receive frequent WhatsApp messages during working hours.

New Filter Will Also Support WhatsApp Communities

The Mentions and Replies feature is not limited to ordinary WhatsApp groups.

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

Communities allow administrators to organise multiple related groups under one structure.

For example, a school may operate separate groups for different classes, while a residential society may maintain groups for maintenance, security and announcements.

In such situations, members may find it difficult to keep track of conversations across multiple groups.

The new filter could help users identify community-related chats where someone has directly mentioned them or replied to their messages.

This would reduce the need to open each connected group individually.

Why Could This Feature Be More Useful Than Regular Notifications?

WhatsApp already sends notifications when users receive certain replies or mentions, depending on their notification settings.

However, notifications can be missed, dismissed or cleared.

For instance, a user may receive several group notifications while attending a meeting. By the time they check their phone, the relevant alert may no longer be visible in the notification panel.

Finding the original conversation could then require searching through multiple chats.

The Mentions and Replies filter provides a dedicated place to locate pending interactions within WhatsApp.

Unlike a temporary phone notification, the filter remains accessible from the app's chat interface.

However, its contents will depend on which conversations WhatsApp still considers to have pending mentions or replies.

This distinction makes the feature potentially useful for people who frequently clear notifications or receive large numbers of group messages.

Can Users Hide the Mentions and Replies Filter?

Yes. According to the reported beta functionality, WhatsApp is making the new filter optional.

When the feature becomes available, it may automatically appear in the Chats tab.

However, users who prefer a simpler interface can move it to the More section.

This allows them to keep the main chat screen less crowded while retaining access to the filter when needed.

The feature's placement and available controls may change during development.

Users should therefore check the options provided in their installed WhatsApp version.

How to Use the New WhatsApp Mentions and Replies Filter

For eligible beta users who have received the feature, the process is expected to be straightforward.

1. Open WhatsApp on your Android smartphone.

2. Go to the Chats tab.

3. Look for the Mentions and Replies filter near the existing chat filters.

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

5. Open the relevant group conversation to read the messages.

6. If preferred, use the available interface controls to move the filter to the More section.

If the filter does not appear, your account may not yet be included in the limited rollout.

Installing the latest beta update does not guarantee immediate access.

Who Will Receive the WhatsApp Feature First?

The new Mentions and Replies filter has reportedly been introduced to a limited number of Android beta testers.

It was identified in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.42.12, distributed through the Google Play Store.

However, WhatsApp often enables experimental features gradually.

As a result, two users running the same beta version may not receive identical features at the same time.

The company may expand testing after reviewing performance and user feedback.

There is currently no confirmed date for a wider public release.

Is the Mentions and Replies Feature Available on iPhone?

The supplied report specifically discusses the Android beta version.

WhatsApp has not confirmed when the same feature will become available on iOS.

Although many WhatsApp features eventually appear on both Android and iPhone, their release schedules can differ.

iPhone users should therefore wait for official updates rather than assuming that the new filter is already available.

Why Is WhatsApp Improving Group Chat Management?

WhatsApp is widely used for personal communication, workplace coordination, educational activities and community discussions.

As users join more groups, keeping track of relevant conversations can become increasingly difficult.

The platform already provides tools such as chat filters, starred messages, mentions and search functionality.

The new Mentions and Replies filter could complement these features by helping users identify conversations where their participation may be needed.

For professionals, it may reduce the time spent searching for replies in work groups.

For students and parents, it could make important discussions in educational communities easier to locate.

Similarly, users who belong to large residential or social groups may find it more convenient to follow direct interactions.

When Will WhatsApp Release the Feature for Everyone?

WhatsApp has not announced a confirmed public release date for the Mentions and Replies filter.

The feature is currently being tested with selected Android beta users, and broader availability will depend on the company's rollout decisions.

Users interested in receiving new functionality should keep WhatsApp updated through official app stores.

They should also remember that beta features may change before public release.

For confirmed announcements, users can follow the official WhatsApp blog.

WhatsApp Mentions and Replies: What Should Users Know?

The new Mentions and Replies filter could make WhatsApp group communication more convenient by bringing important interactions into one dedicated view.

Instead of checking every group for direct mentions or responses, users may be able to locate relevant conversations with a single tap.

Its support for community group chats and the ability to move the filter away from the main chat screen could make it particularly useful for people managing multiple conversations.

For now, the feature is available only to selected Android beta testers, and WhatsApp has not confirmed when all users will receive it.

As testing continues, more details about its final design and availability may emerge.

Editorial note: This article has been substantially rewritten in original English based on the supplied October 24, 2026 report. The feature's availability and functionality are based on reported Android beta testing, not a confirmed worldwide rollout.