WhatsApp is developing a dedicated contacts tab that displays birthdays and offers sorting options, alongside separate updates enforcing operating system restrictions and introducing parental controls, according to reports from WABetaInfo and Notícias ao Minuto.
New Contacts Tab in Android Beta
Development originally targeted the settings menu, but engineers shifted the feature into its own standalone tab. A search bar at the top allows users to find connections by name, phone number, or username.
Users can sort entries alphabetically or by activity, though accounts with disabled online status will not appear in the list. The interface also includes options to invite new people to the platform.
Birthday Reminders Linked to Device Address Book
The upcoming tab will display reminders for friends and family members’ birthdays. WABetaInfo reported that WhatsApp will show a cake emoji and the text “Birthday today” next to a contact’s name upon opening the tab.
The application retrieves these dates directly from the phone’s native contact list rather than requiring manual input inside WhatsApp. Users must ensure that birth dates are already saved within their device’s contacts.
Operating System Updates and Parental Controls
WhatsApp rolled out updates for both Android and iOS that block application access if the host device runs an outdated operating system. The software displays a notification urging users to update their device firmware.
Did you know? WhatsApp pulls birthday data directly from your phone’s local address book, meaning no manual profile entry is required within the messaging app itself.
Questions about the WhatsApp contacts tab and device updates
When will the WhatsApp contacts tab be released?
WhatsApp has not announced a release date. WABetaInfo noted that the feature remains in development for Android.
How do you make birthdays appear in the new tab?
Users must ensure that birth dates are saved within their smartphone’s local contact list, as WhatsApp pulls the information automatically.
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