This latest update is genuinely user-friendly.

On October 22nd, WeChat quietly unveiled three grayscale features. The enhanced message recall function has been a godsend for many, though some users feel it falls short. It's important to note that grayscale updates aren't universally available yet. For those who haven't received the update, patience is key. After thorough testing, I've found that the optimizations in group chat and recall functionalities are the most beneficial.

The first significant improvement is the more comprehensive group chat mute function. Previously, even with mute activated, users were still inundated with @mentions and @all notifications, making advertising groups and temporary work groups a real hassle. This update replaces 'Followed Group Members' with 'Still Notify for the Following Messages,' allowing users to independently toggle notifications for @me, @all, and group announcements.

Image source: WeChat

The second noteworthy feature is the elimination of the need to individually tap each message for recall. The days of frantically deleting messages one by one after sending an incorrect one are over. Now, when you long-press a message sent within the last 2 minutes and select recall, an additional option appears: 'Recall all messages sent this time.' This allows for the swift deletion of consecutive text or image messages with a single tap. However, messages sent over 2 minutes ago must still be recalled individually, and this feature is limited to the same chat session.

Image source: WeChat

The third update brings chat history management to Android users, a feature iOS users have enjoyed since June. Previously known as 'Migrate & Backup,' it's now renamed 'Chat History Management' and divided into 'Import/Export' (for cross-device transfers) and 'Backup/Restore' (for saving to a computer or USB drive). The entry point is conveniently located under 'Me - Settings - Chat,' making it easier to transfer chat history when switching phones.

Image source: WeChat

In addition to the three grayscale updates mentioned above, iOS users, did you know there was another exclusive treat recently—the ability to send Live Photos?

I tested this feature with a colleague's iPhone. When selecting photos in the chat box, photos marked with 'Live' will display the word 'Live.' Ensure the toggle is on before sending. When sent to another iOS user, they can long-press to view the dynamic effect and even hear the ambient sound from when the photo was taken. Sending moments like pets running or fireworks exploding becomes far more vivid than with static images.

Image source: Screenshot by Xiao Lei

Android users, don't feel left out just yet. I inquired with WeChat customer service, and they informed me that the Live Photo feature is still being adapted for Android devices. Currently, only some flagship Android models can send them, with many others still awaiting the update. Simply update to the latest WeChat version and wait patiently for the update to arrive.

However, this update hasn't been universally acclaimed. After perusing the comments, I identified two main points of contention.

In terms of practicality, many professionals complain that the 2-minute recall limit is too stringent: 'I sent the wrong quote to a client and exceeded the time limit while confirming with my boss.' The group chat optimizations also failed to address the core issue—being forcibly added to groups remains a nuisance. Last week, I found myself added to three health product advertising groups and grew tired of leaving them.

Some users also express concerns about WeChat becoming overly complex: 'The features are increasingly resembling QQ. My parents even asked me how to turn off notifications.' I concur that this is a valid concern. After all, WeChat's strength lies in its simplicity, so feature additions should be made with caution.

Image source: WeChat

Compared to the current updates, these are the features users are most eagerly anticipating, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Socially, the inability to edit typos in Moments posts is frustrating. I often notice typos only after posting and have to delete and repost. The awkwardness of unilaterally deleting friends is another issue. Last time, I sent a message to a client only to realize I'd been deleted—it was so embarrassing that I felt like digging a hole to hide in. Bidirectional deletion is truly a necessity.

Storage and efficiency issues are even more pressing. Some friends have WeChat consuming over 96GB of storage, and cleaning it up doesn't seem to help much. The lack of progress bars in voice messages is infuriating—trying to skip to the middle of a long voice message means starting over. For group management, features like requiring confirmation before being added to a group or muting specific members have been long overdue. I hope WeChat implements them soon.

Here's an intriguing observation: some features WeChat dares to add, and users dare to criticize.

The 'read' status feature tops the list. When I inquired around, none of my friends wanted their boss to see that they'd read a message but didn't reply. The same goes for Moments visit records—browsing Moments is supposed to be a relaxing activity, but adding visit records would only increase social pressure.

Overall, this update represents small yet welcome improvements, addressing some pain points but not thoroughly enough. I believe WeChat shouldn't focus on adding flashy features but instead prioritize essentials like bidirectional deletion and voice message progress bars. What's your take?

Have you received the update? What feature do you desire the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Leitech

Images in this article are sourced from the 123RF licensed image library. Source: Leitech