WhatsApp for Android Rolls Out Message Threads for Better Group Chat Organisation

WhatsApp is gearing up to make group chats more organised with a new threaded messages feature, currently under testing for Android users. The update, available for select beta testers, allows users to view replies to a particular message in a dedicated window—making it easier to follow conversations in large groups.

WhatsApp Brings Threaded Messages to Group Chats

The threaded messages feature was spotted by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo in the Android beta version 2.25.25.7. For now, it has been rolled out to a limited number of testers, but Meta is expected to expand its availability to more users in the coming weeks.

This feature is designed to streamline group conversations, ensuring that important discussions or side chats don’t get buried under a flood of unrelated messages.

How the Threaded Reply System Works

The reply threads system functions similarly to the comment sections on Reddit or X (formerly Twitter). Each reply is linked to a specific message, creating a mini-conversation within the larger group chat.

• A message must receive at least two replies from different users for the threaded replies icon to appear.

• Once the criteria are met, a clickable “X replies” icon will show beneath the message, where X indicates the number of replies.

• Clicking the icon opens a separate page displaying all replies in chronological order.

This ensures that users can easily follow side discussions without endless scrolling through the main group chat.

Key Features of WhatsApp’s Threaded Messages

The upcoming feature brings several improvements for group interactions:

1. Dedicated Thread View – Replies to a message open in a separate window for clarity.

2. Follow-Up Replies – Any message sent within a thread is labelled as a “Follow-up reply”, making it easy to identify.

3. Visible in Main Chat – Even though threads are separate, replies still appear in the main chat feed, ensuring no message is missed.

4. Backward Compatibility – Older messages will not be reorganised into threads, but all new replies will support the feature.

5. Sender-Side Activation – Interestingly, recipients don’t need to have the feature enabled. As long as the sender has it, the thread will still display for them.

Why Threaded Replies Matter for Group Chats

Large WhatsApp groups often face the challenge of overlapping conversations, where multiple discussions happen at once. This makes it difficult to track important replies. With the threaded messages feature, side conversations can stay neatly organised without disrupting the main chat flow.

It is particularly useful for:

• Work groups managing multiple tasks.

• Event planning groups where different sub-discussions take place.

• Community groups where members engage in parallel conversations.

By borrowing elements from platforms like Reddit and X while keeping the interface simple, WhatsApp ensures that threads improve usability without overwhelming users.

Limitations of the Feature

While innovative, the threaded messages update does come with some constraints:

• Threads are not nested, meaning you cannot create a thread within a thread.

• The feature only activates after two or more replies are made to a single message.

• Older conversations remain unaffected—only new replies will display in threads.

Despite these limitations, the feature is expected to enhance group chat organisation significantly.

Future Availability and Rollout

Currently available only for a limited number of Android beta testers, the feature will likely expand to more users soon. Once testing is complete, it is expected to roll out globally through a stable update.

Given the scale of WhatsApp’s user base, the feature could become a game-changer in how users interact in large groups, especially as Meta continues to refine chat organisation tools.

Conclusion

The threaded messages feature on WhatsApp for Android represents a major step towards improving group chat organisation. By allowing users to view replies in dedicated threads, it ensures smoother and more structured conversations. As Meta rolls out the feature to more testers and eventually the public, it could redefine how WhatsApp groups function, making discussions easier to follow and manage.