WhatsApp is finally catching up with the likes of Slack and Discord by introducing a long-requested feature: threaded message replies. Currently in beta for iOS via TestFlight, this upcoming messaging upgrade promises to revolutionize the way users engage in group chats, making discussions more organized, readable, and contextual.
Why Threaded Message Replies Matter
Group chats on WhatsApp can often spiral into chaos, especially when multiple people are talking at once. Users must endlessly scroll through unrelated messages to uncover important replies.
Threaded replies solve this by
- Grouping replies into dedicated threads under the original message
- Making it easier to follow conversations without losing context
- Allowing more focused and structured interactions in group, private, and community chats
- Reducing miscommunication in fast-paced professional or family groups
This brings WhatsApp more in line with modern messaging platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord, where threaded conversations are the norm.
How Threaded Conversations Work in WhatsApp
The feature is intuitive and familiar:
- Each message shows a reply marker (like “3 replies”) if it has any responses
- Tapping this opens a separate thread view with all replies shown in chronological order
- Users can add their own replies directly in the thread
- The original message remains visible at the top, ensuring context is preserved
This way, multiple threads can coexist in a single group chat without causing confusion.
Development Status on iOS (TestFlight Beta)
The threaded message replies feature is currently in active development and is available in TestFlight beta version 25.19.10.80 for iOS users.
Feature | Status |
---|---|
Availability | iOS TestFlight Beta |
Version | 25.19.10.80 |
Rollout Type | Limited (for testing only) |
Cross-Platform? | Yes, also in Android beta |
Expected Support | Group chats, DMs, Channels |
Although not yet officially released, its inclusion in beta builds suggests a public rollout is near.
What is TestFlight?
TestFlight is Apple’s official platform for testing iOS apps before public release. WhatsApp uses it to:
- Deploy experimental features like threaded replies
- Collect feedback from testers
- Fix bugs and improve UX before going live
Note: Beta features can change or be removed before the final version is rolled out.
Why This Update Is a Big Deal
For years, WhatsApp users have relied on basic reply functions that often fall short in active chats. With threaded conversations, WhatsApp finally offers:
- A more professional tool for workplace communication
- A cleaner way to manage large group chats
- Reduced clutter in personal conversations
Meta’s move to add this feature reflects a broader strategy to modernize WhatsApp and make it more competitive with enterprise messaging tools—without compromising its simplicity.
Final Thoughts
This feature may seem minor, but it has the potential to dramatically improve the user experience—especially in large, active groups. As Meta continues refining WhatsApp, threaded replies may become one of its most significant quality-of-life upgrades yet.