WhatsApp updates to TRANSFORM the way you use the app

After being launched 10 years ago this month, interest in WhatsApp has steadily increased in popularity, now having over 1.5 billion users. So, it only seems right that the tech company behind it release regular updates for users.

Over the past year we've seen the 'delete for everyone' update allow users to delete group messages, whilst a software update also meant that many users' media was deleted unless they backed them up.

Now, we start the New Year off with the news that WhatsApp is set to introduce a number of new features to the iPhone app, that users will definitely want to use. As reported by tech website, WABetaInfo, these new changes are set to be introduced for iPhone users with the new iOS update, and it's believed to be very soon.

Adding stickers to images, videos and gifs

According to the tech website, users can expect the option to add stickers to images, videos and gifs, something which has become increasingly popular in recent years in other social apps such as Snapchat and Instagram.

Explaining the changes on their website, WABetaInfo said, 'WhatsApp will present you a new redesigned section, where you can choose between Content Stickers, Personal Stickers and Emojis.'

The site continues, 'Any personal sticker is resizable as the user wishes, it keeps a good quality and you can choose to use any sticker from your private collection.'

Replying privately to a group message

The next new feature due to be introduced, is the option to reply privately to a group message. This option is already available for Android users, but is believed to be available for iOS users soon.

3D touch actions for status

Obviously this feature is only available for those who have 3D Touch technology enabled on their iPhone. According WABetaInfo, this will allow users to preview status updates published by your contacts, 'When you peek a status update, WhatsApp won’t send the read receipt: so using this trick, you can invisibly see the first status update without sending any read notification!'

Grouping stickers

After the update is released, WhatsApp will group stickers if you send two or more in a chat, you will also be able to forward or delete a single sticker.

Now take a look at which celebrities you should follow on Snapchat:

NOW WATCH: 5 of Calvin Harris' Biggest Collaborations

• WhatsApp