WhatsApp Updates Group Polls, Notifications and Side-Chats

WhatsApp has introduced several updates to its group chat features, focusing on polls, notifications and the ability to create side conversations. The changes, announced on August 4, 2026, refine existing tools and add options intended to improve coordination within groups. Group polls now include three new capabilities. Members can set a time limit for voting, hide the names of individual voters from poll results, and edit a poll question within 15 minutes of posting it. These adjustments build on the existing poll function by giving users more control over participation windows, privacy of responses and minor corrections after a poll is created.A new notification tool,

@all, has also been added. Typing @all in a group chat sends an alert to every member, intended for time-sensitive or important messages such as schedule changes, deadlines or closures. In groups larger than 32 people, only administrators can use the @all function. Individual members retain the option to mute these notifications if they prefer not to receive them.

Additionally, WhatsApp has simplified the process of starting a side-chat. Users can now create a separate conversation with selected group members through a one-tap option. The feature is designed for discussions that do not need to involve the full group, such as planning details or focused exchanges, without adding messages to the main chat thread.

The updates apply to WhatsApp’s group messaging tools and expand the ways members can manage votes, distribute alerts and organise smaller discussions. Availability and exact rollout timing may vary by platform and region.