Apple has just released iOS 18, a new version of the operating system for the iPhone. And as usual, the different applications are taking the opportunity to update themselves with new features. WhatsApp is one of them. The messaging platform has been updated in recent weeks with different functions that will make life a little easier.
The key is that WhatsApp is taking advantage of some of the multiple iOS 18 news to improve your messaging service; Many of them allow quick access to chats, or improve the experience when making calls and video calls. There are even small security and privacy features thanks to features like the ability to hide apps on iOS.
In Hypertextual we have collected the seven most interesting. All of them are very easy to activate; You just have to follow a series of steps.
Hide and protect the WhatsApp app with Face ID
Thanks to a new feature in iOS 18, it is possible hide and lock the WhatsApp application. In this way, it will not appear on the home screen, but will be displayed in a hidden folder that is hosted in the application library. In addition, when activating the lock, it will be necessary to enter the Face ID (or Touch ID) or the iPhone unlock code to access it.
To block WhatsApp on iOS 18 and access it through Face ID, just go to the home screen, search for the app and hold down on it for a few seconds. You will see a menu appear with different options: click ‘Require Face ID’.
If you want to hide it, in the pop-up window, Click on ‘Hide and require Face ID’. Finally, accept the permissions.
Access WhatsApp from the lock screen
If you want to have direct access to WhatsApp, you can include the app on the lock screen. This way, when you press, it will only ask you for Face ID to access it directly. To do this, follow these steps.
- On the lock screen, long press on the background and tap ‘Personalize’.
- Then tap ‘Lock screen’ and delete one of the icons that appears at the bottom.
- After, Click on the ‘+’ button that appears on the screen and look for the ‘Shortcuts’ section.
- Finally, click on ‘Open app’ and from the menu, select WhatsApp as the application.
…Or from the control center
If you prefer, you can also activate a shortcut to WhatsApp in the control center. The steps are very similar to those of including WhatsApp on the iOS 18 lock screen.
- Go to the control center and hold down on the background.
- Then click ‘Add a control’.
- When the controls library opens, look for the ‘Shortcuts’ section and click ‘Open app’.
- Finally, select WhatsApp and drag the element where you want.
Improve call quality
With WhatsApp and iOS 18 you can also improve call quality and video calls by following these steps.
- When you are on a call or video call, tap on the control center.
- Next, click the ‘Controls’ button that appears in the upper area of the screen.
- In the Audio and Video section, select ‘Voice isolation’. This way you will hear better and they will also listen to you better.
Limit access to contacts on WhatsApp
With iOS 18, you can limit access to contacts on WhatsApp. That is, choose which contacts you want to appear in the application list. To do this, you must activate a specific section in the iPhone settings.
Just go to the Settings app and swipe to the apps section. Next, search for the WhatsApp app and click on ‘Contacts’. Finally, Click on ‘Limited access’ and choose which contacts you want WhatsApp to have access to. It’s that simple.
Change the background of WhatsApp video calls
WhatsApp has added a lot of wallpapers and effects for video calls, and using these is really easy. When you are on a video call, tap the effects icon that appears at the top right of the screen. Next, swipe through the filters and backgrounds and select the one you prefer.
Change the color of chats and more
WhatsApp is now being updated to allow for greater customization, including changing the color of chats, including new wallpapers, and more.
To do this, you need to access the ‘Settings’ section within the WhatsApp app, and then click on ‘Chats’. Finally, just click on ‘Default chat theme‘ and choose between the different colors and backgrounds available.
