The WhatsApp features you’re probably not using (but should be)

WhatsApp is incredible.

It’s also exhausting.

We live in a world where anyone can reach us at any time! And WhatsApp makes that frictionless:

A message from your boss, a meme from your cousin, a friend group debate about weekend plans… all coming in at once.

The constant pings? They’re not harmless. They leads to context switching, which science says drains your focus and energy.

Today I want to share with you 5 features to use WhatsApp a little smarter.

Let’s dive in.

1. Pin Your VIPs

We all have that one person (or three) we text the most. Pin them.

How: Swipe right on any chat → Tap “Pin Chat”
Limit: You can only pin up to 3 conversations.

Now, no more hunting for your partner’s message lost in the sea of chats.

2. Chat With... Yourself

I use this self-chat as a brain dump.

Notes, thoughts, voice memos: all the “junk” I don’t want stored anywhere i.e. Apple Notes or Notion.

I think of it like a digital whiteboard that no one else sees. And because it’s so disposable, I regularly clear the chat to keep it tidy.

How: Search your own name in WhatsApp → Tap the chat with "(You)" in parentheses
Pro tip: Pin this if you use it often.

3. Archive Like a Pro

This one’s a game-changer.

Archiving a chat doesn’t delete it. It just removes it from the main list.

And archived chats stay quiet even when someone texts you. No notifications. No visual cue on your main list (except the number shown by the Archived button).

This means fewer interruptions, more focus, and peace of mind.

How:
Swipe left on a chat → Tap "Archive"
Then go to Settings > Chats > Keep Chats Archived → Turn it ON

I personally archive everything and everyone except my top 3 pins and any chats that still need a reply.

It’s the closest thing WhatsApp has to Inbox Zero.

4. Create Themed Personal Chats

This one’s really cool.

Create a WhatsApp group, name it accordingly (like "G’s Wins"), add a friend, and then… kick them out. Now it’s just you and your theme.

You can have one for:

• Wins & accomplishments

• Gratitude journaling

• Recipes

The options are endless. These mini themed chats can help you document and reflect with ease.

I recommend you create one just for your wins: quick notes, screenshots, or compliments, so you remember you're making progress and to build your confidence.

How: Create a group → Add 1 person → Name it → Remove the person

In case you needed to be sold more, check out Tim Ferris talking about the importance of celebrating the small wins.

5. Use Lists to Group People

Yes, WhatsApp lets you create contact lists.

You can use these to:

• Group family members

• Organize work contacts/team members

• Filter friends with common interests or from the same city

How: Go to Settings > Lists → Tap “New List” → Add contacts

Bottom Line

WhatsApp made it effortless to stay connected with the people you love, no matter where they are in the world! And that’s powerful.

But if left untethered, it quickly becomes the most distracting app on your phone.

A few intentional tweaks can help you avoid the negatives.

If you’ve discovered any clever WhatsApp hacks of your own, reply and share them with me. I’ll feature the best ones in a future edition!

See you next week,
George