WhatsApp picks up 3D Touch Peek and Pop, redesigned settings and more

WhatsApp Peek and Pop iPhone 6s screenshot 001

Facebook-owned WhatsApp today issued a new update to its iPhone application in the App Store which brings extended support for 3D Touch on the iPhone6s and iPhone 6s Plus with Peek and Pop gestures for previewing chats without actually opening them.

The app’s also gained a redesigned settings interface, the ability to browse your starred messages in one place and optionally include rich previews when sharing links.

Peeking and Popping like a pro

As you can see on the screenshot at the top, you can now press a message in the chat list lightly to preview its contents. If you continue pressing the screen and drag your finger upward, you can access hidden shortcuts to mark the message as read/unread, mute the conversation or delete the chat.

To open the chat message full screen, just press a little harder. You will also appreciate a revamped settings interface that now features colorful icons like Apple’s Settings app.

And now, URLs shared in messages include rich inline previews and you have the ability to decide whether to include a rich preview when sending a link to a contact.

WhatsApp Peek and Pop iPhone 6s screenshot 002

Last but not least, the team has added a new item in the settings interface that brings all your starred messages in one place, so you can browse them later. To star a message, just tap and hold it in the chat interface and then tap the star icon.

Starred messages surface in search so they’re easier to find later.

WhatsApp 2.12.11 changelog

Here’s what’s new in WhatsApp 2.12.11:

  • Links that you share or receive will now include a rich preview. When sending a link, you have the option to not include a rich preview.
  • Additional 3D Touch features: You can now quickly Peek and Pop chats.
  • Redesigned Settings tab.
  • You can now view all your starred messages across all your chats in Settings — Starred Messages.

Recent WhatsApp updates have brought out support for 3D Touch shortcuts when pressing the app’s icon on the Home screen firmly, quick replying directly from the notification banner on iPhones running iOS 9.1 or later and other enhancements.

RECOMMENDED: How to delete your WhatsApp account

Availability

WhatsApp requires an iPhone with iOS 6.0 or later and a mobile phone number.

The app is localized in English, Arabic, Bokmål, Norwegian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

Grab WhatsApp for free in the App Store.