New to a WhatsApp group? Here's how Android and iOS users can access recent chat history on WhatsApp

Has it ever happened to you that you joined a new WhatsApp group and had no idea what the conversation was about? The inside jokes, the nicknames, or just some other details, may make you feel out of place or miss out on important conversations and details. WhatsApp’s new feature includes sharing conversation history with new joiness to bring them up to speed.

What is the feature?

When you are added to a new group or add a new number to the group, WhatsApp allows you to send message history to the new member to help them catch up. The history can be sent when you add them to the group. Or, you can send them message history, even if they joined via an invite link.

In fact, the app allows users to select the maximum number of messages, including pinned messages, to send to the new group member. When message history is sent, the new member of the group will receive a notification. Meanwhile, the app notifies other members of the group that it has shared message history with the new number.

Who can add a member to a WhatsApp group?

A user can add members to the group if they are the admin or if the admin has chosen to allow any member to add people to the group.

The app also allows group admins to turn off this feature, and it will not allow other members to share message history. So, if the Send message history is toggled off, group members won’t get the option to send it.

How to send message history?

If you are using WhatsApp web on Windows or Mac-

- Open the WhatsApp group chat.

- Click on your group name > Group info.

- Click Add member or Add participants.

- Ensure Message history is turned on.

- You can select the number of recent messages want want to share.

- Click on Add members.

- Click Continue.

You can also share message history with current group members by opening the group chat and searching for the group member you want to send it to.

For Android and iOS users

- Open the WhatsApp group chat, then tap on the group name.

- Alternatively, tap and hold the group in the Chats tab. Then, tap More (three vertical dots) > Group info.(For iOS- Swipe the group to the left in the Chats tab. Then, tap More > Group info.)

- Tap Add.

- Search for or select contacts or a phone number to add to the group.

- Make sure Message history is turned on.

- Optional: Select the number of recent messages you’d like to send.

- Tap Add members.

- Tap Continue.

Send message history to new members who joined via invite link

When a new member is invited to join a group via a link, group members will see an in-chat option to send message history. Click on it and select the number of recent messages you would like to send, and then hit send.