WhatsApp recently introduced a new chat filter feature that allows users to filter chats and messages based on certain criteria. This can help users organize their chats better and find specific conversations more easily. Here’s a detailed look at how the WhatsApp chat filter works.
How to use chat filter in WhatsApp
Using the chat filter feature in WhatsApp is simple:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner
- Select “Chat filter” from the menu
This will open up the chat filter screen where you can filter chats based on several criteria.
Filter chats by contact
You can filter chats to only show those from specific contacts. To do this:
- Go to the chat filter screen
- Tap on “Contacts”
- Select the contacts you want to filter by
Only chats from those selected contacts will be shown.
Filter chats by unread chats
You can also filter to only see chats that have unread messages:
- Go to the chat filter screen
- Tap on “Unread chats”
This will show only conversations with unread messages.
Filter chats by groups
To see only your group chats:
- Go to the chat filter screen
- Tap on “Groups”
You will now only see your group conversations.
Filter chats by broadcast lists
If you have broadcast lists set up, you can filter to only see those chats:
- Go to the chat filter screen
- Tap on “Broadcast lists”
- Select the specific broadcast lists you want to filter by
This will show chats from just those broadcast lists.
Filter chats by muted chats
To only see your muted conversations:
- Go to the chat filter screen
- Tap on “Muted chats”
This will display all your muted chats together.
Filter chats by date
You can also filter chats by date to find conversations from a specific time period:
- Go to the chat filter screen
- Tap on “Date”
- Select a date range to filter between
Chats will be filtered to show only those within the selected date range.
Benefits of using WhatsApp chat filter
Filtering WhatsApp chats has several benefits:
- Finds conversations quickly – Filtering helps you find specific chats faster instead of scrolling through all conversations.
- Organizes chats – Grouping chats by contacts, date, unread status, etc. keeps things neater.
- Manages chats – You can use filters to prioritize important unread chats or muted conversations.
- Improves productivity – Removes clutter to help you focus on high-priority conversations.
- Saves time – Quickly narrow down chats to find what you need.
Types of filters available
WhatsApp provides several useful chat filter options:
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| Contacts | Shows chats from selected individual contacts |
| Unread chats | Displays only conversations with unread messages |
| Groups | Lists your WhatsApp groups |
| Broadcast lists | Shows chats from your broadcast lists |
| Muted chats | Lists all conversations you’ve muted |
| Date | Filters chats between a custom date range |
How to use chat filters effectively
Here are some tips to use WhatsApp’s chat filter for better chat management:
- Use muting instead of archiving to declutter chats.
- Filter by unread chats to catch up on messages.
- Identify important active contacts for the filters.
- Filter by date to find conversations from specific periods.
- Create separate filters for personal and work contacts.
- Name and color code filters to identify them easily.
- Use broadcast list filters to segment announcements or news.
- Pin favorite filters for quick access from the main screen.
Limitations of chat filter
While the chat filter is useful, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Can only filter one category at a time – You can’t combine multiple filters.
- No search filter – Cannot filter chats by keyword search.
- No filter for starred messages – Important chats can’t be filtered.
- No filter by sender name – Have to filter each contact individually.
- Cannot permanently delete filtered chats – Chats reappear when filter is removed.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp chat filter provides an easy way to organize your conversations and find exactly what you need. While it has some limitations, using filters by contact, date, unread status, and mute status can help optimize your chat management. Just be sure to use filters that suit your needs and style of communication.
With some smart filtering and a bit of practice, you can become a WhatsApp pro. So go ahead, minimize chat clutter and maximize your productivity with WhatsApp’s handy chat filters!