Latest WhatsApp Update Brings Pinned Chat and Multi-Format File Sharing Features - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Latest WhatsApp Update Brings Pinned Chat and Multi-Format File Sharing Features

by

whatsappThe latest update to WhatsApp Messenger rolled out on iOS on Sunday and adds a couple of notable new features, one of which is the ability to share files of any type within conversations.

Version 2.17.40 of WhatsApp is the first to allow any file type to be sent using the Document option in the Share menu. Previously files were limited to PDF documents, but now the only limitation is file size, which is officially 100MB.

It's also now possible to pin chats to the top of the chat list to quickly find important conversation threads. To pin a chat, swipe right on the chat and tap the pin icon. Additionally, users can now tap and hold on groups of multiple photos they've received to quickly forward or delete them.

Version 2.17.40 also includes a couple of new hidden features that still appear to be in testing, suggesting they'll soon become public in a forthcoming update. According to WABetaInfo, they include in-line YouTube video playback with Picture-in-Picture support and an emoji search function.

Finally, a new Recall feature is expected to be enabled in 2.17.40+ that allows users to delete texts, images, videos, GIFs, documents, quoted messages, and even Status replies after they have been sent, as long as the Recall feature is used within a five-minute window.

WhatsApp is a free download for iPhone from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

118 months ago
Sharing Any type of file is a good idea, it will be Good if Apple add this feature in iMessage
Sharing files of any type via iMessage has already been around since iOS 7. But it still lacks an integrated document picker. Would be great if the Files app offered an iMessage app.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
118 months ago
All they now need is iPad support.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twinlight Avatar
118 months ago
You can share files on iMessage? *looks aroud*

Sure can, but it wasn't obvious. First try from iCloud Drive resulted in the app closing unexpectedly. Next try brought up the iMessage with file attached. A Files iMessage app should really be added yes.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Christoffee Avatar
118 months ago
Most of my friends use iMessage, but a few use whatsapp. I love the feature set. My girlfriend will soon get her first smartphone (I know! She's had the same BB Bold for years and years!) and I'm inclined for us to go Whatsapp rather than iMessage.

EDIT: I am a fully grown adult! My girlfriend is not getting a phone for her 15th birthday!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sunny1990 Avatar
118 months ago
Sharing Any type of file is a good idea, it will be Good if Apple add this feature in iMessage with no file size limitation.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Now Lets You Reserve a Username

Monday June 29, 2026 4:01 pm PDT by
Popular messaging app WhatsApp is now allowing users to reserve usernames ahead of plans to launch username-based messaging. Right now, WhatsApp uses a person's phone number as an identifier, but usernames will allow people to interact without having to exchange personal information. Username reservations are rolling out starting this week, and not all users will have access to the...
Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Beta Adds Green Dot to Show Who's Online

Monday July 6, 2026 3:56 am PDT by
WhatsApp appears to be introducing a new visual indicator that shows when a contact is online, according to WaBetaInfo. The feature adds a small green circle to a contact's profile photo when they're active in the app, and which disappears the moment they leave, all updated in real time. The indicator is now being tested for the WhatsApp iPhone app in TestFlight after it debuted on Android...
Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Beta Reveals iCloud Backup Alternative for iPhone

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:06 am PDT by
WhatsApp is developing a first-party cloud storage option for chat backups on iPhone, providing users with an alternative to iCloud for the first time, according to app tinkerer WABetaInfo. Code found in the WhatsApp beta for iOS (version 26.28.10.16), available through TestFlight, suggests that users will eventually be able to pick their preferred backup destination directly from the app's...