WhatsApp is developing a feature for its Android application that will permit users to mute notifications from ‘@everyone’ mentions within group chats. The function, discovered in a beta version of the app, aims to reduce disruptive alerts and provide users with more control over their conversations.
The capability was identified by feature tracker WABetaInfo inside WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.25.27.1, which has been designated as a compatible update for the new tool. According to the report, the Meta Platforms-owned instant messaging service is building the function for release in a future version of its Android app. The feature is intended to give users an extra option to mitigate the effects of frequent or unnecessary @everyone mentions.
A screenshot shared by the feature tracker demonstrates how the option will integrate into the app’s settings. A new toggle labeled “Mute @everyone” is shown positioned under the main mute switch within a group chat’s notification settings. This function is turned off by default, requiring a user to manually activate it to stop receiving notifications from these specific mentions. This adds a layer of personalization to group chat management.
The development of this mute function is a direct response to another feature that allows any participant in a group, not exclusively administrators, to use the ‘@everyone’ mention. The ability for all members to alert the entire group with a single notification raised concerns about potential misuse and the feature becoming a disruptive element. The new mute tool is being developed to serve as a countermeasure to these issues.
Once it is implemented, users will be able to suppress alerts that are typically triggered when someone uses the ‘@everyone’ tag. The feature also allows for nuanced control, as users will have the option to continue receiving these notifications even if the entire group chat is muted. This behavior can be managed by tweaking the specific notification settings for that group on the WhatsApp for Android platform.
WABetaInfo reports the feature is currently under development and is not yet available to any users, including beta testers registered through the Google Play Beta programme. The function might be released for testing purposes with a future version of the app, with a potential rollout projected for the coming weeks.
