In the past two weeks, we saw WhatsApp working to bring a bunch of new features to its messaging platform through its Beta program. Last week, WhatsApp Beta was seen working on a feature called “join missed call“. We also saw it release two new sticker packs and advanced wallpaper features. And then earlier this week, WhatsApp officially confirmed that its upcoming disappearing messages feature. But now, the Facebook-owned messaging platform is spotted working on a new feature called ‘vacation-mode’ to mute archived WhatsApp chats.
As per a recent report from WABetaInfo, a well-known WhatsApp watcher, WhatsApp for Android has released a new beta update bringing the version up to 2.20.206.2. The update reveals that WhatsApp is again working on its abandoned feature called ‘Ignore Archived Chats’ but this time with a new name — vacation mode. This feature will allow users to keep specific personal chats in the archive indefinitely, even if a new message arrives from that chat.
Vacation Mode – Development and Working
WhatsApp has apparently been working on this feature for quite some time. It will permanently mute the archived chats and not remove them from the archive list when a new message arrives. WhatsApp released a similar feature in its stable build quite recently that allows users to mute chats notifications forever. However, vacation mode is a bit different as it would work on the archived chats and mute them indefinitely.
When you turn the vacation mode on, new messages from archived chats won’t appear in the standard inbox. Currently, when an archived contact sends you a new message, it automatically removes the contact from archive list and appears as a new message in the standard inbox. For now, there is no option in the messaging platform to remove a chat from your active inbox without blocking.
With the arrival of vacation mode, WhatsApp is also bringing some changes to the UI. It is moving the “Archived Chats” from the bottom of the conversation-list to the top. This will make it easier for users to access archived contacts when they want to check if they have received a new message from their archived contact. There is currently no information on when WhatsApp is going to roll out vacation mode in its stable build. But it shouldn’t take much longer, says WABetaInfo, citing the implementation of presentation banner by WhatsApp Beta 2.20.206.2.
