WhatsApp is apparently attempting to increase the number of participants allowed in a single group chat from 512 to 1024 members, and the Meta-owned instant messaging and voice-over-IP service has begun testing larger groups with some users on the beta channel. The service previously increased the limit of 256 to 512 in June, and expanded the capability to send larger files (to up to 2GB) and emoji reactions for messages. WhatsApp is currently contemplating an undo option for deleted messages and an edit option for messages that have already
According to the feature tracker, WhatsApp''s group chat limit increase for beta testers was spotted. This is the second time this year that the participant limit for group chats has been reduced. The earlier increase in capacity entered beta testing for some users earlier this year and was rolled out in June. The ability to add 1024 users to an undefined number of WhatsApp Beta users will reportedly be released this week.
As per WABetaInfo, the firm is also planning on announcing features that will give admins greater control over large group chats, including introducing a pending participants section which will allow admins to view and manage requests from users to join the group at any time, as well as a genezuer system that allows admins to approve new participants.
WhatsApp has not officially confirmed the development or indicated a timeline for the release of the new restrictions that are being tested with some beta users. Telegram, meanwhile, allows group chats to have a maximum of 2 lakh participants. However, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram chats are not protected by end-to-end encryption, which means they are less secure than WhatsApp groups.
According to a study from PhoneArena, the move is thought to be part of the Meta-owned company''s efforts to increase the number of group chats among users. However, WhatsApp is yet to make an announcement on the size of group chats on the messaging service, and it is worth noting that the limit may be increased or decreased over the course of development, before it is immediately available to all users at a future date.