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Messaging & Collaboration26 min read

WhatsApp Group Chats: Member Tags, Text Stickers & Event Reminders [2025]

WhatsApp's newest group chat features include customizable member tags, searchable text stickers, and event reminders. Here's what changed and why it matters.

whatsappgroup chatsmember tagstext stickersevent reminders+10 more
WhatsApp Group Chats: Member Tags, Text Stickers & Event Reminders [2025]
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WhatsApp Group Chats: Member Tags, Text Stickers & Event Reminders [2025]

Group messaging is chaos. Twenty people, infinite threads, someone asking "did you see what I sent?", and nobody knows who's responsible for what. WhatsApp just realized this is broken and rolled out three features designed to make group chats actually functional. Member tags let you define different roles per group. Text stickers turn any word into visual emphasis. Event reminders ensure nobody misses important moments.

These aren't flashy features. They're practical fixes that solve real problems people face every single day in group conversations.

Let me walk you through what's changed, why it matters, and how to use these features effectively.

TL; DR

  • Member Tags let you assign custom roles (like "Coach" or "Dad") to yourself in different groups, adding context without changing your actual profile
  • Text Stickers turn any word into a searchable sticker, letting you emphasize text visually and save frequently used stickers
  • Event Reminders send notifications before events you create, reducing missed hangouts and calls
  • These features roll out gradually—check Settings > Chats to see if they're live for you yet
  • The updates address a core problem with group chats: information overload and context collapse

TL; DR - visual representation
TL; DR - visual representation

Time Spent on Messaging Apps
Time Spent on Messaging Apps

On average, people spend 2 hours per day on messaging apps, with 40% dedicated to group chats. Estimated data based on industry insights.

Understanding WhatsApp's Group Chat Problem

Group chats work great when they're small. Five people discussing plans? Easy. Twenty people coordinating a fantasy league? Chaos.

Here's what happens. Someone mentions they're the treasurer. Later, nobody remembers. A task gets assigned verbally in a message thread. Three days later, two people think they're responsible. Events get planned, messages get buried, and you realize you missed it because you weren't paying attention to that specific conversation.

WhatsApp's been around since 2009, and the core group chat experience hasn't fundamentally changed. It's still just people sending messages, occasionally reacting with emojis, and hoping context sticks around. Slack solved this with channels and metadata. Discord solved it with roles and Discord bots. WhatsApp relied on users manually managing complexity through how they write.

These three new features are WhatsApp's answer. Not revolutionary. Not flashy. But necessary.

The philosophy here matters. WhatsApp isn't trying to turn group chats into project management tools like Asana or Monday.com. It's adding just enough context and emphasis to make group conversations more functional without overcomplicating them. That's harder than it sounds.

DID YOU KNOW: WhatsApp processes over 100 billion messages daily, making it statistically more important than email for real-time communication globally.

Understanding WhatsApp's Group Chat Problem - visual representation
Understanding WhatsApp's Group Chat Problem - visual representation

Preferred Reminder Times for Events
Preferred Reminder Times for Events

Estimated data suggests that users prefer reminders 1 hour before an event, followed closely by reminders set a day before.

What Member Tags Actually Do

Member tags aren't about your profile. They're group-specific identities.

Think of it this way. You might be "Dad" in your family group chat, "Alex (Team Lead)" in a work group, and "Goalkeeper" in your soccer league group. Same person. Different roles. Different context.

When you add a member tag, it displays next to your name in that specific group. Everyone sees it. So when you say "we need someone to coordinate team logistics," people immediately know you're the person who handles coordination because your tag says "Team Manager."

This solves a real problem. In group chats, people have blurry roles. Nobody's formally assigned anything, but expectations form implicitly. "Sarah's the one who knows where everything is." "Mike always reminds us about deadlines." These should be explicit, not implicit.

Member tags make them explicit. They provide context without requiring changes to your global WhatsApp profile. Your "Dad" tag only appears in your family group. It doesn't leak into work conversations or random group chats you join.

Setting it up takes thirty seconds. Open the group, go to your profile within the group, and add a tag. You can edit it anytime, and yes, you can hide it if you want (though why would you?).

Here's where it gets useful. Imagine you're coordinating a 50-person family reunion. Without member tags, someone says "hey, whoever's coordinating the venue, can you confirm the time?" and maybe two people respond because they're not sure if that's their job. With tags, the person tagged "Venue Coordinator" knows that message is for them. Reduces confusion. Accelerates decision-making.

QUICK TIP: Use member tags to establish clear roles in large groups. Don't make them cute or vague—be specific. "Budget Lead" beats "Money Person."

For fantasy league groups, this is huge. "Owner," "Commissioner," "Trade Voter"—suddenly a disorganized group chat has structure. For work groups, it clarifies who handles what. For hobby groups (gaming, sports, volunteering), it defines who coordinates logistics.

The catch? Member tags only work if people actually use them correctly. If five people have the "Finance" tag, they're meaningless. You need clear agreements about who does what. WhatsApp provides the tool. You provide the discipline.

What Member Tags Actually Do - visual representation
What Member Tags Actually Do - visual representation

Text Stickers: Turning Words Into Visual Emphasis

Text stickers are deceptively simple. Type a word. Search for it. It becomes a sticker.

Why does this matter? Because emphasis in text messaging is hard.

I can write "IMPORTANT" in all caps. I can write it again. I can use emojis. But none of these feel natural. They feel forced. A sticker of the word "IMPORTANT" in bold red letters? That's visual emphasis that works. It stops a conversation the way a sticky note stops your attention.

When you send a text sticker, it renders bigger than regular text. It catches the eye. In a long group conversation, text stickers stand out. They're perfect for labeling, emphasizing, and providing context without adding more text.

Here's a practical example. You're coordinating a work project. The deadline keeps slipping. You send a text sticker saying "FINAL DEADLINE: FRIDAY." Everyone sees it immediately. It's harder to miss than "Final deadline is Friday" written in regular text.

WhatsApp built in a search engine for text stickers. Type your word, and it searches among all text stickers. You can save frequently used ones. So if your group chat constantly references "ASAP" or "URGENT" or "CONFIRMED," you save those stickers. One tap and they're in your message box.

This is elegant design. It's a small feature, but it makes communication faster and clearer.

The technical part? Text stickers work across all devices. You send one to someone on Android, they see it on their iPhone. No compatibility issues. That matters because WhatsApp's user base is split across both platforms.

QUICK TIP: Create text stickers for repeated topics in group chats. "Game On Tuesday," "Payment Due," "Meeting Confirmed"—save them once, reuse them endlessly.

Some groups will use text stickers creatively. Sports leagues might use stickers for score updates. Work groups might use them for status labels. Family chats might use them for emoji-equivalent emphasis. The feature's flexible enough for all of it.

One thing to note: text stickers are different from emoji reactions (the emoji responses that appear below messages). They're actual messages, searchable, saveable, and visual. It's a different feature that solves a different problem.

Text Stickers: Turning Words Into Visual Emphasis - visual representation
Text Stickers: Turning Words Into Visual Emphasis - visual representation

Comparison of Messaging Platforms by Use Case
Comparison of Messaging Platforms by Use Case

WhatsApp excels in casual group settings, while Slack and Discord are better for structured teams and gaming communities, respectively. Telegram is ideal for large groups. (Estimated data)

Event Reminders: Never Missing Plans Again

Event reminders are the third piece of this puzzle. Create an event in a group chat, and WhatsApp sends reminders to attendees.

This sounds simple, and it is. Here's why it matters: people forget plans. Constantly.

Someone says "we're meeting at 7 PM on Friday." Everyone says yes. Friday comes around, and somebody's not home because they forgot. Nobody reminded them. So they're scrambling to reschedule or apologize.

Event reminders send a notification before the event. You set the time. "Send a reminder 30 minutes before" or "1 hour before" or "the day before." WhatsApp handles it. Notification pops up. People show up.

For recurring events, this is even more useful. Fantasy league draft night happens monthly. Birthday celebrations happen on specific dates. Team meetings happen every Tuesday. One event created in the group chat, recurring reminders sent automatically, and everyone knows when to show up.

The reminder goes to everyone in the group. Nobody gets left out. No separate email. No Outlook calendar invite that people ignore. A WhatsApp notification on the device most people check constantly.

Here's where it gets clever. Event reminders integrate with WhatsApp's existing notification system. If you don't want reminders, you can mute the group. If you want aggressive reminders, you can adjust notification settings. WhatsApp trusts users to manage their own notification preferences rather than forcing everyone into the same schedule.

For businesses using WhatsApp for client coordination, this is useful. Want to remind clients about a consultation call? Create an event, set a reminder. Want to coordinate team standup times? Create recurring events. It's not a calendar app, but it's good enough for group-based planning.

QUICK TIP: Use event reminders for recurring meetings or annual events. Set them to reminder 24 hours before for important stuff, 1 hour before for casual hangouts.

One limitation: event reminders only work for events created after the feature rolls out. Older messages in the group don't suddenly have reminders attached. It's forward-looking.

Also, event reminders aren't calendar invites. They don't sync with your Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. They're pure WhatsApp notifications. That's actually fine for most casual group planning, but businesses might want tighter calendar integration.

Event Reminders: Never Missing Plans Again - visual representation
Event Reminders: Never Missing Plans Again - visual representation

How These Features Work Together

Separately, these three features solve different problems. Together, they address the core issue with group chats: information overload and context collapse.

Let's say you're coordinating a fantasy sports league. You create a group. You tag yourself "Commissioner." Someone else tags themselves "Treasurer." Another person tags themselves "Stat Keeper."

Now when the Commissioner sends a message, people know they're hearing from the person who makes final decisions. When the Treasurer sends a message about payments, people know it's about money, not gameplay. Context is instant.

Someone sends a text sticker saying "DRAFT TONIGHT." It catches everyone's attention immediately. More prominent than if they just typed it.

Two hours before the draft, event reminders send notifications. People see them. They boot up their devices. Nobody misses the draft because they forgot.

That's the philosophy. Member tags provide context. Text stickers provide emphasis. Event reminders provide punctuality.

They're not revolutionary individually. But they're the kind of features that make group chats actually functional at scale. That's valuable.

DID YOU KNOW: The average person spends over 2 hours per day on messaging apps, with group chats accounting for roughly 40% of that time according to industry data.

How These Features Work Together - visual representation
How These Features Work Together - visual representation

WhatsApp vs Project Management Tools
WhatsApp vs Project Management Tools

WhatsApp excels in team coordination and role clarity, but lacks in task tracking, timeline management, and reporting compared to traditional project management tools. Estimated data based on typical use cases.

Rolling Out: When You'll Get These Features

WhatsApp rolls out features gradually. You might have them today. Your friend might get them next month. This is intentional.

Gradual rollouts let WhatsApp monitor for bugs, gather usage data, and adjust if something doesn't work right. It's frustrating as a user, but it's better than pushing a broken feature to everyone simultaneously.

Check if you have these features by opening a group chat and looking at settings. If member tags are available, you'll see an option in your profile within the group. If text stickers are available, you'll see them in the sticker picker. If event reminders are available, you'll see an option to create events.

If you don't see them yet, they're coming. WhatsApp is rolling them out over the coming weeks. You don't need to do anything. Just wait.

One thing to be aware of: these features require the latest version of WhatsApp. If you're running an older version, some features might not work or might not appear. Update your app from the App Store or Google Play to ensure you have everything.

For business users, check if your organization restricts WhatsApp features through MDM (Mobile Device Management). Some companies disable certain features for security or compliance reasons. If that's the case, talk to your IT department.

Rolling Out: When You'll Get These Features - visual representation
Rolling Out: When You'll Get These Features - visual representation

Member Tags for Different Use Cases

Let's get specific about where member tags are actually useful.

Family Groups: "Mom," "Dad," "Oldest Sibling," "Babysitter." People immediately know who handles what. You're texting about childcare logistics? The babysitter sees their tag. You're texting about finances? The parent with authority sees their tag.

Work Groups: "Team Lead," "QA Engineer," "Designer," "Project Manager." Makes role clarity instant. New team members can see who does what without asking.

Sports Leagues: "Commissioner," "Treasurer," "Stat Keeper," "Team Captain." Everyone knows who to contact about what. Reduces duplicated messages and confused people.

Hobby Groups: "Organizer," "Logistics Lead," "Media Manager." For gaming groups, book clubs, volunteer organizations, community projects.

Event Planning: "Venue Coordinator," "Catering," "Invitations," "Entertainment." Makes it clear who owns what part of the event.

The best use cases share one thing: they're groups with implicit roles that need to become explicit. If your group is just friends chatting casually, member tags are optional. If your group coordinates anything, member tags should exist.

QUICK TIP: When creating member tags for a group, discuss what tags you're using first. Agree on them, then assign them. Don't just make them up independently.

Member Tags for Different Use Cases - visual representation
Member Tags for Different Use Cases - visual representation

WhatsApp Feature Rollout Timeline
WhatsApp Feature Rollout Timeline

Estimated data shows that WhatsApp features like Member Tags, Text Stickers, and Event Reminders are gradually rolled out over four weeks, reaching full availability by the end of the period.

Text Stickers in Practice

Text stickers seem like a small feature, but they change how groups communicate.

Before text stickers, emphasis required writing. "THIS IS IMPORTANT," you'd type in all caps. "PLEASE CONFIRM," you'd write in capitals with exclamation marks. It looked frantic and was hard to skim quickly.

With text stickers, emphasis is visual. A sticker saying "CONFIRMED" in green bold text immediately communicates status. A sticker saying "DEADLINE FRIDAY" communicates urgency without seeming panicked.

For international groups, text stickers are even more useful. You can make stickers in multiple languages without confusion. "URGENT" in English, "URGENT" in Spanish, "URGENT" in Chinese. Visual consistency even across languages.

Here's where it gets creative. Some groups will use text stickers for voting. Someone proposes something, someone sends a sticker saying "YES" or "NO." Quick poll without cluttering the chat with messages.

Other groups will use stickers for scheduling. "TUESDAY 7PM" as a sticker confirms when something's happening. "CONFIRMED" confirms it's locked in. "TENTATIVE" means it might change.

Large groups especially benefit from text stickers. A 100-person group chat is overwhelming. Text stickers help key messages stand out. They reduce noise by making important stuff visually prominent.

Text Stickers in Practice - visual representation
Text Stickers in Practice - visual representation

Event Reminders and Group Coordination

Event reminders are the glue that holds group plans together.

Here's a real problem they solve: you schedule something in a group chat, and then nobody shows up because they forgot. It's not malice. It's just that group chat messages disappear into the stream. If they don't get a reminder notification specifically about the event, it doesn't stick in their mind.

Event reminders push notifications. They're designed to interrupt you. "Hey, the thing you agreed to is happening in 30 minutes." That's hard to ignore.

For recurring events, set them up once and never think about it again. Recurring fantasy league draft? Set up an event that repeats monthly. Recurring team standup? Set it to repeat daily or weekly. WhatsApp handles the reminders automatically.

The timing matters. You can set reminders for 15 minutes before, 30 minutes before, 1 hour before, 1 day before, or even multiple reminders. Different events need different lead times. A family dinner might only need a 1-hour reminder. A work meeting might need a 24-hour reminder so people can prepare.

QUICK TIP: For events more than a week away, set reminders for both 1 day before AND 1 hour before. This catches procrastinators and forgetful people at different points.

One thing to keep in mind: event reminders are group-wide. Everyone gets the notification. This is good for ensuring nobody's forgotten. It's not good if the event is secret or private. Make sure you're comfortable with everyone knowing about the event before you add reminders.

Also, people can disable reminders if they want. They're not being harassed. If someone opts out of event notifications, they won't see them. That's fine. It's their choice.

Event Reminders and Group Coordination - visual representation
Event Reminders and Group Coordination - visual representation

Privacy Risk Levels of WhatsApp Group Features
Privacy Risk Levels of WhatsApp Group Features

Text stickers pose the highest privacy risk due to searchability, while event reminders have the lowest risk. Estimated data.

Comparison: WhatsApp vs. Other Messaging Platforms

WhatsApp isn't the only messaging app with group chat features. Slack, Discord, Telegram, and others have been adding context to group messaging for years.

Slack uses channels to separate conversations. Different channels for different topics. WhatsApp doesn't have channels. It uses group-wide tags and context instead. Simpler, more familiar to casual users.

Discord uses roles extensively. You can have deeply hierarchical role systems with permissions. WhatsApp's member tags are much simpler. No permission system. Just visual context. That's actually good. WhatsApp isn't trying to be Discord. It's keeping things simple.

Telegram has supergroups with pinned messages and more admin features. It's a more powerful tool for large communities. WhatsApp is targeting smaller, more intimate groups. Different use case.

Facebook Messenger has similar features developing too. But messenger's interface is cluttered and its privacy reputation is damaged. WhatsApp's advantage is simplicity and privacy.

The best messaging app for a given user depends on their use case. For casual groups? WhatsApp is better now. For structured teams? Slack still wins. For gaming communities? Discord still wins. For very large groups? Telegram wins. WhatsApp's niche is functional group chats for small to medium groups.

Comparison: WhatsApp vs. Other Messaging Platforms - visual representation
Comparison: WhatsApp vs. Other Messaging Platforms - visual representation

Privacy Considerations with These Features

Member tags, text stickers, and event reminders are all added to group chats. Here's what that means for privacy.

These features are stored locally on your device and on WhatsApp's servers. They're end-to-end encrypted, same as all WhatsApp messages. This means WhatsApp can't read what tags you're using or what stickers you're creating. Only the group members can see them.

If someone leaves the group, they lose access to all tags, stickers, and event reminders. New members don't see historical events. This is good for privacy. If someone joins a group, they only see events created after they joined.

For businesses handling sensitive data, be aware that group members can see each other's member tags. If someone's tagged as "Finance Lead" and someone else is tagged as "Undercover Inspector," the group knows. Make sure tags don't reveal information you want confidential.

Text stickers are searchable within a group. If you create a sticker saying "CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT," other group members can search for it and see it. They're not private stickers. Use them with that understanding.

Event reminders are group notifications. Everyone in the group gets them. You can't send a secret event reminder to one person. If you create an event, the whole group sees it.

QUICK TIP: Don't use member tags to reveal sensitive information about people. "CFO" is fine. "Undercovering Financial Fraud" is not something to broadcast in tags.

Overall, these features don't introduce new privacy risks. They're just adding more functionality to group chats. Same encryption, same privacy model as before.

Privacy Considerations with These Features - visual representation
Privacy Considerations with These Features - visual representation

Best Practices for Group Chat Management

Now that you have more tools for group chats, here's how to use them effectively.

Keep Member Tags Simple and Clear: Use titles, roles, or short descriptors. "Alex (Dev Lead)" beats "The Code Wizard." Clarity matters more than creativity.

Establish Group Norms: Before using these features, agree on how you'll use them. For a work group, decide what tags you'll use and what they mean. For a hobby group, establish sticker etiquette.

Use Text Stickers Sparingly: They work because they stand out. If every message is a text sticker, none of them stand out anymore. Use them for important stuff only.

Set Realistic Event Reminders: Don't set reminders for things weeks away unless necessary. People will ignore them if they're too frequent or too early. One to two reminders per event is usually right.

Review Group Settings Regularly: As a group evolves, member tags might need updating. Someone moves roles? Update their tag. If a group splits functions, split the tags accordingly.

Don't Overuse Admin Controls: If you're a group admin, these features are useful for you. But don't use them to over-manage the group. Let people self-manage tags and stickers when possible.

Archive Old Events: Create new event objects for recurring events instead of reusing old ones. This keeps the group chat cleaner and ensures current reminders work right.

DID YOU KNOW: Users who experience group chat chaos spend an average of 6 additional minutes per day searching for information, according to workplace communication studies.

Best Practices for Group Chat Management - visual representation
Best Practices for Group Chat Management - visual representation

What This Means for Business Users

For businesses using WhatsApp (and many do), these features matter.

Small businesses often use WhatsApp groups for team coordination. Before these features, that was difficult. Now, with member tags, a team of 10 people can have clear role clarity without formal hierarchy. Text stickers can mark status. Event reminders ensure meetings happen on time.

Real estate teams use WhatsApp heavily. An agent tagged "Listing Agent," another tagged "Buyer's Agent," another tagged "Closing Coordinator." Clients know who to message about what. No confusion.

Freelance teams use WhatsApp for client projects. Similar benefit. Clear roles, clear context.

Does this replace project management tools like Asana or Monday? No. Those tools have task tracking, timeline management, and detailed reporting. WhatsApp doesn't compete there. But for quick coordination and team communication, WhatsApp just got better.

One note: WhatsApp Business is a separate product with additional features for businesses. These group chat features are rolling out to regular WhatsApp too, but Business users get them with additional administrative tools.

What This Means for Business Users - visual representation
What This Means for Business Users - visual representation

Future Updates and What Could Come Next

These three features suggest where WhatsApp is heading.

Meta (WhatsApp's parent company) is clearly focused on making group chats more functional and organized. The next logical steps: pinned messages (already in beta), better search within groups, perhaps message threading like Slack.

Could we see channels? Probably not. That would change WhatsApp's fundamental model. Groups serve that purpose well enough.

Could we see deeper role management with permissions? Maybe. Right now, everyone in a group chat has the same permissions. Future versions might allow admins to give certain roles specific powers. But that adds complexity WhatsApp might want to avoid.

Could we see calendar integration? Possibly. Syncing WhatsApp events with Google Calendar would make event reminders even more useful. But that's not confirmed.

What's clear is that WhatsApp is treating group chats as a core feature and investing in making them better. That matters because, for billions of people globally, WhatsApp is how things get coordinated. Making group chats better means making coordination easier globally.

Future Updates and What Could Come Next - visual representation
Future Updates and What Could Come Next - visual representation

How to Actually Get Started

If these features are live for you, here's how to start using them.

Enabling Member Tags:

  1. Open a group chat
  2. Tap the group name at the top
  3. Scroll to "Group info"
  4. Tap on your own entry
  5. Tap "Edit tag"
  6. Type your tag
  7. Save

Creating Text Stickers:

  1. Open a chat
  2. Tap the sticker picker (smiley face icon)
  3. Tap "Add sticker" or search box
  4. Type a word
  5. It automatically generates a sticker
  6. Send it, or save it to your library

Creating Events:

  1. Open a group chat
  2. Tap the + icon to see options
  3. Look for "Create Event" or similar
  4. Fill in event details
  5. Set reminder timing
  6. Send

If you don't see these options, the features haven't rolled out to you yet. Check back in a few days or weeks.

How to Actually Get Started - visual representation
How to Actually Get Started - visual representation

Real-World Example: Fantasy Football League

Let's get concrete. You're running a fantasy football league with 12 friends using WhatsApp.

Before these features, your group chat was chaos. Someone says "league dues are due Friday," but three people don't notice. Someone else says "draft is Tuesday at 9 PM," and people forget. Nobody knows who's responsible for what.

Now, with the new features:

  1. You tag yourself as "League Commissioner." Two others tag themselves as "Treasurer" and "Stat Keeper." Instantly, the group knows who does what.

  2. Someone sends a text sticker saying "DRAFT DAY," making it stand out. No chance of missing it in the message stream.

  3. You create an event "League Draft - Tuesday 9 PM" with reminders set for 1 day before and 30 minutes before. Everyone gets notified.

  4. The treasurer sends a text sticker saying "DUES PAID" next to each owner who's paid, creating a clear status tracker.

Result: less confusion, faster coordination, better experience.

That's the point of these features. They're not glamorous. They don't make you say "wow, that's cool." But they make group coordination work better, and that's genuinely useful.

QUICK TIP: Start with member tags. They're the simplest feature. Get your group used to them, then add text stickers and events as needed.

Real-World Example: Fantasy Football League - visual representation
Real-World Example: Fantasy Football League - visual representation

Conclusion: Small Features, Real Impact

Member tags, text stickers, and event reminders aren't revolutionary. Nobody's going to call them "game-changers." But they solve real problems that billions of people face daily.

WhatsApp recognized that group chats are where people coordinate life. Work, family, hobbies, events—all of it happens in group messages. Making those groups more functional and organized improves people's lives in measurable ways.

These features are WhatsApp's answer to the fundamental challenge of group messaging: how do you maintain clarity and context as groups scale beyond 5-10 people?

Member tags answer the question "who's responsible for what?" by making roles explicit. Text stickers answer "how do I emphasize important information?" by providing visual prominence. Event reminders answer "how do I ensure people show up?" by pushing notifications.

Simple solutions to real problems. That's the best kind of feature.

If you use WhatsApp groups for work, hobbies, family, or anything else, these features are coming for you soon. Start thinking about how you'll use them. What groups would benefit from clearer roles? What conversations need better emphasis? What events need reminders?

Once these features are live for you, experiment. Try member tags in one group. See if it helps. Try text stickers. Create an event with reminders. These features are tools. They're only useful if you actually use them.

The boring features are often the most valuable ones. These are boring. And they're valuable.


Conclusion: Small Features, Real Impact - visual representation
Conclusion: Small Features, Real Impact - visual representation

FAQ

What exactly is a member tag in WhatsApp?

A member tag is a group-specific label you assign to yourself in a group chat. It displays next to your name in that specific group only and doesn't appear on your actual WhatsApp profile. For example, you could be "Dad" in your family group, "Project Lead" in your work group, and "Goalkeeper" in your sports league group. The same person, different context in different groups. Member tags provide clarity about roles and responsibilities without permanently changing how you appear to everyone globally.

How are text stickers different from regular emojis or reactions?

Text stickers are actual messages that turn words into visual elements, while emoji reactions are small reactions below existing messages. When you create a text sticker saying "CONFIRMED," it appears as a large, bold, searchable message in the chat. Emoji reactions (like when you react with a thumbs up) are different because they're attached to messages, not standalone messages. Text stickers are searchable, saveable to your library, and way more visible, making them better for emphasis and status updates.

Can I create custom text stickers or am I limited to words?

WhatsApp's text sticker feature generates stickers from words you type. You can type any word, and it creates a visual sticker version. You're not designing custom graphics, but the feature does generate variations and styles. Once created, you can save frequently-used stickers to your library for quick access. The system searches across all text stickers, so if your group uses "URGENT" frequently, you can find it quickly instead of typing it repeatedly.

What happens to event reminders if someone leaves the group?

When someone leaves a group, they stop receiving reminders for that group's events. If they rejoin later, they don't get reminders for events created while they were gone. They'll see future events created after they rejoin. This prevents spam and respects privacy. Also, if the person who created an event leaves the group, the event and reminders still exist for everyone else who's in the group.

Are these features available on both iPhone and Android?

Yes, WhatsApp is rolling out member tags, text stickers, and event reminders across both iPhone and Android platforms. The features function identically on both systems and are end-to-end encrypted the same way. You might not get them on both platforms simultaneously—WhatsApp rolls features out in phases—but eventually both will have full parity. If one of your devices doesn't have the feature yet, update WhatsApp from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Can an admin force member tags on people or remove them?

No. Member tags are self-managed. You create your own tag. No admin can edit your tag or force you to use one. An admin can create tags for themselves and for roles they manage, but individual group members maintain control over their own tags. This respects user autonomy while still providing group organization. If someone leaves a group, their tags disappear from that group's context.

Will these features work with WhatsApp Business?

Yes. WhatsApp Business is rolling out these features as well, often with additional admin tools and controls. Business users get member tags, text stickers, and event reminders with potentially more granular administration. Businesses can manage these features more actively than casual groups, but the core functionality is the same. Check WhatsApp Business documentation for specific admin features in your region.

What if my group is already large and established? Should I retroactively add member tags?

You can, but it's better to discuss it first. Let the group know you're adding tags and what they'll be used for. Have a quick conversation about roles and assign tags based on consensus. If your group has implicit roles already, just formalize them. If roles are unclear, use the opportunity to clarify them. Don't just add tags unilaterally—people respond better when changes are collaborative.

Can I search for text stickers I created in the past?

Yes. WhatsApp's integrated search lets you find text stickers by searching for the word. If you created a sticker saying "DEADLINE," you can search for "deadline" and find it. This is helpful for frequently-used stickers. You can also save commonly used stickers to a favorites or library for faster access, depending on your WhatsApp version. The search function searches across all messages and stickers in a chat.

What if someone doesn't want event reminders?

People can disable notifications for specific groups or mute reminders entirely. They can also adjust WhatsApp notification settings to suit their preferences. Event reminders respect individual notification settings. If someone has group notifications muted, event reminders won't break through. This gives users control and prevents harassment. It's a good balance between group coordination and individual preference.


FAQ - visual representation
FAQ - visual representation


Key Takeaways

  • Member tags provide group-specific role clarity without changing your actual profile, making responsibilities explicit in groups
  • Text stickers transform any word into searchable visual emphasis, improving message prominence in crowded group chats
  • Event reminders send automatic notifications at customizable intervals, reducing forgotten plans and missed deadlines
  • These features work together to solve core group chat problems: context collapse, information overload, and coordination failures
  • Rollout is gradual across both iOS and Android, so check Settings within group chats to see if features are live for you yet

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Cut Costs with Runable

Cost savings are based on average monthly price per user for each app.

Which apps do you use?

Apps to replace

ChatGPTChatGPT
$20 / month
LovableLovable
$25 / month
Gamma AIGamma AI
$25 / month
HiggsFieldHiggsField
$49 / month
Leonardo AILeonardo AI
$12 / month
TOTAL$131 / month

Runable price = $9 / month

Saves $122 / month

Runable can save upto $1464 per year compared to the non-enterprise price of your apps.