WhatsApp is testing a new threaded replies feature for Android group chats to organize conversations more effectively, according to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo.
The feature, initially observed in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.25.7, creates threaded message replies, displaying all responses to a single message in a separate window, and is currently accessible to a limited group of beta testers. Meta may expand the testing to a broader user base in the coming weeks.
The “threaded replies” icon will only appear if a message receives more than one reply, and its activation requires a minimum of two replies from different users to a single message, limiting the feature’s availability to group chats. This functionality is similar to comment systems used by platforms like Reddit or X (formerly Twitter), where a top-level comment generates replies viewable on a separate page.
However, unlike those platforms, WhatsApp’s threaded replies will not be nested, preventing reply-within-reply chains. When a message accumulates more than two replies, an “X replies” icon will appear beneath the message, alongside the standard reply icon. Clicking this icon will direct users to a new page presenting all replies in chronological order.
This aims to assist users in tracking specific side conversations within a group without extensive scrolling. Replies made within a thread are labeled as “Follow-up reply” and will still be visible in the main group chat, ensuring users are aware of all messages regardless of whether they use the threaded feature.
Once the feature is enabled, all new messages are eligible to display threads, while older messages will remain unorganized. Importantly, recipients do not need to have the feature enabled themselves; as long as the sender has access, they can view and access the threads.
This suggests a server-side implementation where the sender’s app organizes and presents the replies in a threaded format, irrespective of the recipient’s app version. The feature is currently in beta, and its wider release is subject to further testing and evaluation by WhatsApp.
