Manage Your Chats Efficiently Using WhatsApp Chat Lists

The WhatsApp Lists function enables efficient organization of your conversations, calls, and contacts according to user-defined categories. This feature builds on the existing Chat Filters, offering enhanced organization for your chats. Let’s delve into how to set up and manage these lists.

Understanding WhatsApp Lists

WhatsApp Lists act as text filters, neatly categorizing your chat history—including contacts, groups, and call records—into organized sections visible on a horizontal filter bar above your chats. You can easily create a new WhatsApp list by selecting the plus icon located at the end of your current list.

I found it very useful to categorize my chats into distinct groups such as “family,” “coworkers,” “friends,” or “neighbors.” Instead of endlessly scrolling through my chat history, I can simply navigate to the relevant list on the filter bar. This feature is especially handy for retrieving different chat groups or work-related messages, ultimately saving a significant amount of time.

WhatsApp Lists offer a practical solution for managing contacts, especially considering the rising complexity of categorizing individuals into the predefined groups. You can include friends who are also colleagues in multiple lists, or perhaps you want to keep a list for interesting individuals you’ve just met. An “interesting”list could serve for these new acquaintances.

Moreover, if there are contacts who incessantly send annoying forwards that you don’t want to block—perhaps because they are family or friends—you can create a “Check later” list. These lists are private, ensuring your organization remains confidential.

Steps to Create a WhatsApp List

To set up your own custom WhatsApp list, swipe right along the filter bar at the top of your chat screen. Then, tap the noticeable + icon.

As of this writing, WhatsApp is gradually rolling out this feature across various Android and iOS devices. If you don’t see the + icon, make sure to update your WhatsApp application to the latest version.

Enter a name for your new list—like “Coworkers” —and then tap Add people or groups.

To create a list, you must add at least one chat. Select one or more contacts from the Frequently contacted section, or utilize the search bar to find other contacts on your WhatsApp account.

On iOS, click Add to finalize your selection. Android users should tap the green check icon followed by Create list.

Once you tap Done, your custom list is established and appears among your default lists. The full chat history with the selected contacts will now be accessible from this list, making it simpler to reach out without scrolling through your chats.

On Android, you can also start a list by tapping the three-dot menu on the home screen, selecting Settings -> Lists -> New list. For iPhone users, go through Settings -> Lists -> New list.

You can also add more contacts to an existing list. Just select any chat on the home screen, tap and hold. Then on Android, choose the three-dot menu, followed by Add to list, while iOS users will click Add to list. After selecting the desired list, tap Done.

Modifying Existing WhatsApp Lists

To modify an existing list, navigate to your Chats tab on the home screen, swipe down to view all your lists, long-press on the desired list, and select Edit.

For Android, tap on the List name to make your edits. On iOS, use the cross icon to rename the list. In both cases, tap Add people or groups to save the changes. For instance, you might choose to rename the Coworkers list to “Work.”

You can also remove chats linked to the list. For Android, click on the trash icon, while iOS users will need to use the red minus symbol for removing chats.

You can also adjust the list name directly from the settings. iOS users should go to Settings -> Lists and select the edit icon. For Android, click the three-dot menu, then navigate to Settings -> Lists and select the list you wish to edit.

Besides individual contacts, you can include entire groups in a custom list. Navigate to the Groups section on the filter bar, long-press the group you wish to add, and select the three-dot menu followed by Add to [list name]. iOS users can directly use Add to list.

This editing capability enables streamlined access to various chat groups and individual contacts from one consolidated area.

Did you know? WhatsApp stickers can express emotions far more vividly than standard emojis.

Removing a WhatsApp List

To delete a WhatsApp list, you can use one of two methods. The first involves swiping down from the Chats section to visualize all lists, long-pressing an individual list, and then selecting Delete list -> Delete to permanently eliminate it.

Alternatively, on Android, access Settings -> Lists, choose the list you want to delete, and tap the Trash icon. For iOS, you would navigate to Settings -> Lists -> Edit, clicking the red – sign to delete. Note that you can delete only the custom lists you’ve created, not the default ones.

WhatsApp provides several options for managing your conversations across various contacts. Beyond WhatsApp lists, you can establish groups for adding contacts to a collective chat or phone call, and utilize broadcast lists for engaging in one-on-one private discussions with every member. Furthermore, unique notification sounds can be assigned to specific contacts and groups.

If enhancing privacy is a priority, you might want to consider alternatives to WhatsApp, such as Telegram. Numerous other private messaging platforms, including Signal, Wire, and iMessage, also exist.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots provided by Sayak Boral.

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