TL;DR
WhatsApp announced new group chat features including customizable member tags, text-to-sticker creation, and event reminders. The additions join existing group capabilities such as 2GB file sharing, HD media, screen sharing and voice chats.
What happened
On Wednesday WhatsApp said it is introducing several new features for group chats aimed at improving context, personalization and event coordination. Member tags let users pick a label that appears to others in a group to convey a role or relationship — for instance, one person might appear as “Anna’s Dad” in a family thread and “Goalkeeper” in a sports chat. A new text-sticker option enables users to convert any word into a sticker through the app’s Sticker Search and to add those creations directly to their sticker packs without first sending them in a conversation. WhatsApp also added event reminders that allow creators to set custom notifications for invitees when they create and send an event inside a group. The company positioned these changes alongside prior group-focused features like support for up to 2GB files, HD media, screen sharing and voice chats.
Why it matters
- Member tags can reduce confusion in large or cross-context groups by clarifying who someone is or what role they play.
- Text-to-sticker creation makes it faster to generate personalized stickers without leaving the app or needing third-party tools.
- Custom event reminders aim to help groups coordinate plans more reliably by surfacing notifications to invitees.
- These updates build on WhatsApp’s broader push to make group conversations more media-capable and feature-rich.
Key facts
- WhatsApp announced the new group chat features on Wednesday (posted Jan. 7, 2026).
- Member tags let users choose a name or label that provides context about who they are or their role in a group.
- Examples in WhatsApp’s announcement included labels like “Anna’s Dad” and “Goalkeeper.”
- Text stickers can be created by typing words into Sticker Search and converted into stickers.
- New text stickers can be added directly into a user’s sticker packs without sending them in chat first.
- Event reminders let creators set custom reminders for invitees when creating and sending events in a group chat.
- WhatsApp highlighted these additions alongside existing group features such as 2GB file sharing, HD media, screen sharing and voice chats.
- Article author credited as Aisha Malik; image credits listed to WhatsApp.
What to watch next
- Whether the new features arrive simultaneously across all platforms (iOS, Android, desktop) — not confirmed in the source.
- If and how group admins will control or moderate member tags and sticker usage — not confirmed in the source.
- Any details on notification settings, delivery behavior or limits for event reminders and text stickers — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Member tag: A user-selected label displayed in a group chat to provide context about a person’s role or relationship within that group.
- Sticker: A small digital image or graphic used in chats to express an emotion, reaction or message; often grouped into sticker packs.
- Event reminder: A notification scheduled to alert invitees about an upcoming event created and shared within a chat.
- Sticker Search: An in-app feature that lets users find or create stickers, including converting typed words into sticker images.
- HD media: High-definition photos or videos that retain greater resolution and quality when shared.
Reader FAQ
How do member tags work?
Users can choose a label to display in a group that gives other members contextual information about who they are or their role.
Can I turn text into a sticker?
Yes. You can type text into Sticker Search to create a sticker from a word or phrase.
Do I need to send a sticker to add it to my packs?
No. New text stickers can be added directly to your sticker packs without first sending them in a chat.
When will these features be available on my device?
not confirmed in the source
Can I set reminders for event invitees?
Yes. When creating and sending an event in a group chat, you can set custom reminders for invitees.
IN BRIEF Posted: 7:31 AM PST · January 7, 2026 IMAGE CREDITS: WHATSAPP Aisha Malik WhatsApp rolls out new group chat features, including member tags WhatsApp on Wednesday said it’s…
Sources
- WhatsApp rolls out new group chat features, including member tags
- WhatsApp is Rolling Out Member Tags for Group Chats …
- WhatsApp adds member tags, text stickers and smarter …
- WhatsApp Launches 'Member Tags' to Streamline Group …
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