Quick answer: WhatsApp announced four useful group-chat upgrades on August 4, 2026: @all mentions, polls with an end time, polls that can hide voter names, and one-tap creation of a new chat from an existing group. Poll creators can also edit a poll question for up to 15 minutes. In groups with more than 32 members, only admins can use @all.
Try this first: Update WhatsApp from your device’s official app store. In a group, type @all for an important alert or open the poll composer to look for the new end-time, voter-name and editing controls. Meta did not publish a platform-by-platform version table, so a missing option may mean it has not reached your account or device yet.
WhatsApp’s new group features at a glance
| Feature | What it does | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| @all mention | Notifies everyone in a group about an urgent message | Admin-only when the group has more than 32 members |
| Poll end time | Locks voting automatically when the selected time arrives | Set while creating the poll |
| Hidden voter names | Allows a poll without displaying who selected each answer | Choose the privacy option in the poll composer |
| Edit a poll question | Corrects a typo or clarifies the question | Available for 15 minutes after creation |
| Create a chat from a group | Starts a separate group with selected people from an existing group | Designed to avoid adding contacts one by one |
How the WhatsApp @all mention works
WhatsApp’s new @all mention is intended for messages that everyone should see, such as a school closure, office update, event deadline or last-minute plan change. It removes the need to tag group members individually.
- Open the relevant WhatsApp group.
- Compose the important message and use @all.
- Check that the @all mention is recognized before sending.
- Keep the alert concise and include the action or deadline in the first line.
For groups with more than 32 members, Meta says @all is restricted to admins. The alert can also reach members who have muted the group. Individual users remain in control and can mute @all in their notification settings.
Copy-and-paste @all message templates
@all IMPORTANT: [event/class/office] is [cancelled/moved/closed] on [date]. Please [required action] by [time]. Details: [link or contact]. @all DEADLINE: Please submit [item] by [date and time]. Reply DONE when completed. Instructions: [link]. @all PLAN CHANGE: We are now meeting at [new place] at [new time]. Please react with ✅ after reading. @all VOTING CLOSES: Please answer the group poll by [date and time]. The final decision will be posted at [time].
How the upgraded WhatsApp polls work
Set an end time
A poll creator can set a closing time. WhatsApp will lock voting when that time arrives, which is useful when a group must make a decision by a deadline instead of leaving a poll open indefinitely.
Hide voter names
The new voter-name option is useful when members may be more comfortable answering without their choice being attached to their name. It can help with internal feedback, preference checks or other non-sensitive group decisions. Group admins should still explain the purpose of a poll and avoid asking for confidential personal information.
Edit the question within 15 minutes
If the poll question contains a typo or needs clarification, its creator has a 15-minute editing window. Check the question, options, deadline and privacy choice promptly; after that window, create a corrected poll if necessary.
A practical poll checklist
- Ask one clear question.
- Use choices that do not overlap.
- Include a “none of these” option when useful.
- Set an end time that includes the time zone.
- Decide whether visible or hidden voter names fit the purpose.
- State what happens after voting closes.
- Review the poll during the 15-minute edit window.
Create a smaller chat from an existing group
WhatsApp now lets users create a new group chat from an existing group without adding people one by one. This is useful for a project sub-team, event logistics, a surprise plan or a focused side discussion that would otherwise clutter the main group.
Use the option carefully: select only the people who need the side conversation, give the new group a clear name and post a short purpose statement. Avoid moving important decisions out of the main group without sharing the final outcome there.
What to do if @all or the new poll options are missing
- Update WhatsApp through the Google Play listing or Apple App Store listing.
- Close and reopen the app, then test in a group where you have permission to post.
- If the group has more than 32 people, confirm that you are an admin before testing @all.
- Check WhatsApp notification settings if you want to mute @all alerts.
- If the controls still do not appear, avoid installing unofficial APKs or modified WhatsApp apps. Wait for the feature to become available through the official app.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone use @all in a WhatsApp group?
In a group of 32 people or fewer, Meta’s announcement does not state an admin-only restriction. In groups with more than 32 people, @all is available only to admins.
Does @all work in a muted WhatsApp group?
Yes. Meta says @all can alert members even when the group is muted. Users can separately mute @all through notification settings.
Can I edit a WhatsApp poll after posting it?
You can edit the poll question within 15 minutes of creating it, according to Meta. The announcement does not describe editing after that window.
Can a WhatsApp poll close automatically?
Yes. The poll creator can set an end time, and voting locks when the deadline is reached.
Are hidden-name polls completely anonymous?
Meta describes the feature as the ability to “hide voter names.” Its announcement does not provide a technical anonymity guarantee, so it is more accurate to call these hidden-name polls rather than promise complete anonymity.
Official source
This guide is based on Meta’s August 4, 2026 announcement: We’re Upgrading Your WhatsApp Group Chats. Feature wording and limits were checked against that official release.