Best WhatsApp Tricks 2021

WhatsApp was the first app to offer free, internet-based message and call services. It is one of the widely used messaging applications throughout the globe. What makes it popular is the wide set of extensive features the platform offers. The Facebook-owned company does not need any introduction. So without further ado, here are some of the Best WhatsApp Tricks of the year.

Must see: Download Android 12 GApps for every Android device

Best WhatsApp Tricks 2021

We all are familiar with the usual WhatsApp tricks such as block contact, pin conversation, star messages, add a shortcut, and so on. But, there's more to it. WhatsApp has a list of hidden features that many of us are unaware about. Here is a list of such WhatsApp tricks that will prove to be useful for the user in certain scenarios.

♣ Recover Deleted Messages

If you regret deleting your WhatsApp messages, there's a way to retrieve them within 7days. However, to recover the deleted messages you will need a desktop. Connect your smartphone with a PC or laptop and follow the following steps.

• Open My Computer and visit the device’s internal memory via Windows file manager


• Open the WhatsApp/Databases folder
  ο In here, you will see two files: "msgstore-yyyy..dd..db.crypt" and "msgstore.db.crypt'


• The first one is the solution to your problem. Right-click on the "msgstore-yyyy..dd..db.crypt" file and open it with Notepad.

♣ Hide WhatsApp Media Files from Gallery

We all have that media files we don't want to share with anyone. But, WhatsApp images and videos are saved right in your phone gallery. Unlike before, now you have an option to hide the media files and it is as easy as pie.

• Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Show Media in Gallery and toggle off the slider.
  ο The pictures and videos received on WhatsApp will no longer be saved in your gallery.

♣ Export WhatsApp Message to E-Mail

If a conversation is important to you that you don't want to lose at any cost, you can export the chat to email and save it forever, even if you change the device or number. This is as easy as clicking a switch. Here you go!

• Open the chat and tap on the three-dot icon on the top right corner.


• Tap on Export Chat > Select with media or without media > share it with email.

♣ Share Large Files on WhatsApp

WhatsApp does not allow users to share files weighing more than 16MB. This breaks the video to seconds and deteriorates the picture quality. Addressing this, here's what you can do.

• Install Dropbox from Play Store and upload the files from the app.
  ο After uploading, you will be provided with a shareable link.


• Copy the link and paste it to a chat you want to send.
  ο Clicking on the link will redirect the user to the web browser. From there, they can tap and download the file.

♣ Minimize Data Consumption on WhatsApp

Though, WhatsApp uses very little data for a seamless experience. Still, if you are on a very low and limited data plan, here's a way you can save more data on WhatsApp calls.

• Go to WhatsApp Settings > Data & Storage Usage > Call Settings. Under this, toggle the “Low data usage” option.

To save data on downloading media files and limit the downloads according to you, follow the below steps

• Open Settings > Data & Storage Usage > Media Auto-Download. You can either choose the type of file you want to load immediately or toggle it off altogether.

♣ Text Formatting

Isn't it interesting to read formatted text? A designed text makes the boring message catchy. You can now do the text formatting on WhatsApp. To be more precise, you can put bold, strikethrough, and italics effects on a word or sentence. Here's how you can do it.

• Bold: To make a text bold on WhatsApp, put an asterisk (*) mark before and after the word/sentence. For instance, *hey there*


• Strikethrough – To make the text strikethrough, put a tilde (~) mark before and after the word/sentence. For instance, ~word~ 


• Italic – To make the text italic, insert an underscore before and after the word/sentence. For instance, _word_

♣ Find your favorite person

There are plenty of conversations on WhatsApp and finding your favorite one might be confusing. But, WhatsApp already knows about them! To check your most contacted person, and how much space they occupy on your device, follow the steps below.

• Open WhatsApp Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage
  ο This will open a list of contacts at the bottom of the page in decending order.

♣ Create Events in calendar

If you are not good with dates and often forget them, this feature is designed for you. You can save a date send by your contact on WhatsApp directly in the calender app. To save the date follow these two-steps.

• Tap and hold the date within the chat > Create event.
  ο You can add the title in calender like, "Dr appointment."

♣ See recent messages without opening WhatsApp

There are times when we want to read the message but without opening the chat or letting the other person know. To do this you can add the WhatsApp widget to your device's homescreen. The widget displays a circular profile picture icon or the name of the person followed by the message they've sent.

• Android: Swipe right to your home screen and long press on it. You will see certain options, search for widgets > look for the WhatsApp widget and tap on it.
  ο A chat box will appear on your homescreen with total unread messages displayed on top alongside the WhatsApp icon, followed by the unread chats and messages.


• iOS: Swipe right from your lock screen or home screen > Scroll down to the Edit icon at the bottom > Tap the WhatsApp Recent Chats icon > Rearrange the order of your widgets accordingly.

♣ Manage the playback speed of voice messages

Voice messages are the convienent power of WhatsApp. The feature is useful for those who are short on time or are multitasking. Imagine receiving a long voice messge and you can't handle time, annoying right? But now you can manage the playback speed of a voice message to make it fast or faster, that too without changing the pitch of the voice.

• Open the voice message and play the play button.
  ο You will see a little "1x" icon on the left side of the voice note.


• Tapping on the "1x" icon will increase its speed to 1.5x and tapping it again will double it up by 2x.
  ο This allows the user to listen to longer message quicker.


• To return back to the orginal speed, tap on the "2x" again.

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OnePlus 8 lineup will receive ColorOS stable update next year

With the launch of the OnePlus 9 series, the company decided to unify OxygenOS with Oppo’s ColorOS. Besides, OnePlus is also planning to send the new skin to some of its older flagships. While the OnePlus 8 series in China has already received the ColorOS 11 early access in May. The units in the rest of the regions will bag the new skin by the next year.

Must see: Download ColorOS System Launcher V11.1.00 for Oppo devices

The statement was made by the OnePlus Community Manager, Jia Lan Shuai via the official Community post, China. He publicized that the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, and the OnePlus 8T will be updated to stable ColorOS next year, 2022.

However, the version of the stable channel is not yet disclosed. Keeping the fact that Oppo will announce Android 12 based ColorOS 12 this year. There is a possibility that the new OnePlus flagships will receive the upcoming skin instead of ColorOS 11. If the information stands true, the OnePlus 8 series could also probably get bumped with ColorOS 12. But, official confirmation is still awaited from both companies.

OnePlus announced its new journey with Oppo last week. The company publicized that it is planning to unify its customized skin with the one of Oppo. This means OxygenOS is merging with Oppo’s ColorOS operating system.

Concluding, the future OnePlus devices will also run ColorOS. However, the Chinese giant will not rename it, as only the codebase of the skins is merging. OxygenOS will continue to have its own user interface and features.

Read more: OnePlus 9T may debut in Q3 with ColorOS 11 and quad-camera set up

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Google Pay is expanding its support to 14 more US banks

Since the launch of Google Pay in Feb 2015, the company is constantly updating the service and adding more partners to it. Last year, Google added useful in-app and tap-to-pay payment options to the digital wallet. What makes it special is that it deals directly from your bank with zero transaction fees.

Make sure to visit: Download Android 12 GApps for every Android device

As of 2020, Google Pay was available in 40 countries and working with approximately 3000+ partners. Talking particularly about the United States, the tech giant added over 150 US financial institutions to this list this year. In fact, Out of more than 5,000 financial establishments in the US, Google has collaborated with more than 3,000 banks in the country.

Moving ahead to cover the next milestone, the Google-powered digital wallet platform is expanding its support to 14 more Banks. Here's is the list of the latest institutions that are now a part of Google Pay, check if your bank is a part of it yet!

• BC Bank (WV)


• Bank of Commerce (OK)


• Bank Of Vernon (AL)


• Boston Firefighters CU (MA)


• City & Police Federal Credit Union (FL)


• Farmers State Bank (IN)


• Florida State University Credit Union (FL)


• Industry State Bank (TX)


• Ottawa Savings Bank (IL)


• Park State Bank (MN)


• Peoples Credit Union (RI)


• 
  
  Quincy Credit Union (MA)


• 
  
• ReliaCard


• Self-Help Federal Credit Union (CA)

Google Pay is working to expand further across different continents by adding support for more banks and other financial institutions.

Read more: Google might provide 5 years of update support to Pixel 6

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OnePlus 6 and 6T receives OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 1

OnePlus was supposed to roll out OxygenOS 11 for the OnePlus 6 series a couple of months back. But somehow, they got an upgraded version of OxygenOS 10, OxygenOS 10.3.11. According to the re-framed timeline, the duo was scheduled to grab the latest skin by late August. Moving ahead of its roadmap, OnePlus is finally sending OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 1 to the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T.

Must see: Download OnePlus 7/7 Pro Stock Wallpapers

OnePlus has issued a to-the-point changelog that carries some OxygenOS 11 features such as new visual UI, several new additions, optimizations, and much more. Here's what you will get after flashing the new beta.

Changelog

• System
  
  
  
  • Updated to OxygenOS 11 version
  
  
  • Fresh new UI visual design brings you a more comfortable experience with various optimizations of details
  
  
  • Since this is a big Android update with multiple new features, the upgrade process might be a little longer, please be more patient.
  
  
  
  

• Game Space
  
  
  
  • Newly added gaming tools box for convenient switches of Fnatic mode. You can now choose three ways of notifications: text-only, heads up, and block, just for your immersive gaming experience
  
  
  • Newly added quick reply feature in a small window for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram (Enable it by swiping down from upper right/left corners of the screen in gaming mode)
  
  
  • Newly added mistouch prevention feature. Enable it, swipe down from the top of the screen, click and the notification bar will pop out
  
  
  
  

• Camera
  
  
  
  • Updated the camera UI and optimized some of the function paths to offer a more convenient operation
  
  
  
  

• Ambient Display
  
  
  
  • Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It will change according to the phone usage data (To set: Settings > Customization > Clock on ambient display)
  
  
  • Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone（Path: Settings – Customization – Wallpaper – Canvas – Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically）
  
  
  
  

• Dark Mode
  
  
  
  • Added a shortcut for Dark Mode, you can pull down the Quick Settings panel and find it
  
  
  • Supported automatically enable by time range (path: Settings – Display – Dark Mode – Turn on automatically – Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise / Custom time range)
  
  
  
  

• Shelf
  
  
  
  • Newly shelf interface design, the interface is clearer
  
  
  • Added weather widget, animation effect smarter
  
  
  
  

Though the installation of beta update will not erase the device’s internal storage. Still, OnePlus recommends the user to take the backup for the safe side.

Also, to assist the users, OnePlus has provided the option to switch back to the previous stable channel. Additionally, the brand warns the users to proceed with caution as the beta builds for smartphones are likely to carry bugs.

Related: OnePlus Nord CE 5G receives OxygenOS 11.0.4.4 update

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Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra gets a major update with MIUI 12.5.2.0

Xiaomi is briskly releasing its latest skin, MIUI 12.5 to all the eligible flagships. For a couple of days, the company is paying attention to its recently launched series, Mi 11. Following the Mi 11 Lite and Mi 11i, is the Mi 11 Ultra which is getting an update further with MIUI 12.5.2.0. The smartphone was launched a couple of months back with MIUI 12 skin based on Android 11.

Must see: Download Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and Mi MIX Fold wallpapers

As of now, the stable MIUI 12.5.2.0 update is unfurling in India, while other regions will also get a similar treatment in the coming days. The fresh skin can be identified by firmware version V12.5.2.0.RKAINXM weighs around 760MB in size. As far as features are concerned, Xiaomi has issued a precise changelog for the latest Mi 11 Ultra update.

Changelog

• System
  
  
  
  • New: Response to gestures is now instant.
  
  
  • New: With 20 times more rendering power, there are now few limits to what you can see on your screen.
  
  
  • New: With custom device model adjustments, any phone becomes faster after the upgrade.
  
  
  • Optimization: MIUI became lighter, faster, and more durable.
  
  
  
  


• Notes
  
  
  
  • New: Compose mind maps with complex structures.
  
  
  • New: New tools for doodling and sketching.
  
  
  • New: Press and hold a sketch to adjust the strokes automatically.
  
  
  • New: A gesture shortcut now allows you to create notes, tasks, and excerpts anywhere.
  
  
  • New: Excerpts save text, URLs, and images to Notes in a few simple taps.
  
  
  • New: Dynamic layouts bring the typography in Notes to a new level.
    All-new Notes.
  
  
  
  


• Xiaomi Cloud
  
  
  
  • New: Location information can be recorded automatically before the device powers off.
  
  
  
  


• Status bar, Notification shade
  
  
  
  • Fix: Lock screen notification animations froze after the device was unlocked using face data
  
  
  • Fix: Notifications flashed in some cases
  
  
  • Fix: Floating notifications weren’t displayed correctly in landscape mode
  
  
  • Fix: Notification badges weren’t updated for incoming notifications on a locked device
  
  
  
  

As usual, the OTA build is rolling out in stages and will hit your Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra anytime soon. Alternatively, you can also track the package manually by heading to Settings > Software update > Check for update > Download and install.

Related: Xiaomi sends stable MIUI 12.5 update to Poco X3 Pro

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Redmi K20 Pro gets MIUI 12.5 in India [Download Recovery ROM]

A few days earlier, Mi 11i, Poco X3 Pro, and others have received the MIUI skin update. Presently, Xiaomi has started turning out the MIUI v12.5 Stable rendition for the Redmi K20 Pro. The new update is carrying the firmware version V12.5.1.0.RFKINXM and currently users from India have started receiving it.

Must See: Google might provide 5 years of update support to Pixel 6.

What's New?

According to the changelog, the new firmware incorporates numerous new add-ons, bug fixes for known & reported issues, improvements, optimizations, and on the off chance, it may likewise incorporate the latest security patch.

The Redmi K20 Pro's new update brings several new add-ons like Dynamic layouts bring the typography in Notes to a new level, All-new Notes, Response to gestures is instant, Compose mind maps with complex structures, New tools for doodling and sketching, and so on.

Forthcoming to bugs, it brings fixes for Lock screen notification animations froze after the device was unlocked using face data issue, Notifications flashed in some cases problem, Notification badges weren't updated for incoming notifications on a locked device issue, and a few others. However, after installing the update, you will be notifying all the changes. The changelog is as follows.

Changelog

[System]
New: Response to gestures is now instant.
New: With 20 times more rendering power, there are now few limits to what you can see on your screen.
New: With custom device model adjustments, any phone becomes faster after the upgrade.
Optimization: MIUI became lighter, faster, and more durable.
[Notes]
New: Compose mind maps with complex structures.
New: New tools for doodling and sketching.
New: Press and hold a sketch to adjust the strokes automatically.
New: A gesture shortcut now allows you to create notes, tasks, and excerpts anywhere.
New: Excerpts save text, URLs, and images to Notes in a few simple taps.
New: Dynamic layouts bring the typography in Notes to a new level.
All-new Notes.
[Xiaomi Cloud]
New: Location info can be now reported automatically before the device is powered off
[Status bar, Notification shade]
Fix: Lock screen notification animations froze after the device was unlocked using face data
Fix: Notifications flashed in some cases
Fix: Floating notifications weren't displayed correctly in landscape mode
Fix: Notification badges weren't updated for incoming notifications on a locked device

Note: Xiaomi is also rolling out the updates in a phased manner, and users will need to be patient for at least one week to get this new update.

The Redmi K20 users from India will receive a notification automatically when the update reaches their device. Alternatively, the firmware can be checked manually from Settings>Software updates>Check for the updates. If you are unable to wait for the OTA update, follow below to flash it manually.

Downloads

• Device Name: Redmi K20 Pro


• Version: MIUI 12.5.1.0.RFKINXM


• Codename: Raphael


• Type: Stable


• Region: India


• Android version: 11


• Type: Recovery


• Download Now

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Google might provide 5 years of update support to Pixel 6

Among all the Android OEMs, Google provides the fastest and longest software update support. However, the scenario has now changed with the pace of Samsung and OnePlus. But Google might come back to its original place with the launch of the Pixel 6 smartphone series later this year.

Make sure to visit: Download the Windows 11 wallpapers in high quality from here

Reportedly, Google is likely to provide five years of update support for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Though, it is not sure if all these years will bring OS updates. There can be probably a blend of some years of major OS updates followed by security updates support. For instance, 3 or 4 years of Android support + 2 or 1 year of security patches respectively.

FYI, All the Android smartphones get only 3years of support. But this decision by Google is in straight competition with Apple. In Fact, the Google Pixel 6 series will be the first Android device to get 5years of update support. Again, the information is not yet officially confirmed, but we will get to know with the time approaching.

Furthermore, the leaks suggest that the Google Pixel 6 series will debut sometime in October 2021. Here again, we are not assured as we still have no words from the company. But, this truly will be the first premium flagship by Google if we look at the hardware compared to the other OEMs.

In other news, Google may power the Pixel 6 series with an in-house custom chipset, ‘Whitechapel,' instead of a Snapdragon SoC. The Whitechapel chip holds the model number GS101 which probably stands for Google Silicon. Evidently, Google was working on a chipset for Samsung’s system large-scale integration (SLSI). Interestingly, Whitechapel may share some of its features with the Samsung Exynos chipset.

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[Update: May 2021 security patch] Samsung Galaxy A41 update tracker

In Q3 2020, Samsung officially launched Galaxy A41 with Android 10 pre-installed. The phone features a 6.1-inch Super AMOLED screen paired with 4GB RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage. Under the hood, it powers an octa-core processor based on the Mediatek Helio P65 chipset and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. In the shooting department, the phone houses a 48MP triple rear camera and a 25MP front snapper.

Must see: Samsung Cloud v4.7.01.2 update now available for download

Note: This is an update tracker and will be updated regularly with the latest update releases for the Galaxy A41

Samsung Galaxy A41 Update Tracker

• [July 8, 2021]: The Galaxy A41 units in the Netherlands and Belgium are grabbing the May 2021 security patch. The update arrives on firmware version A415FXXU1CUF3 that weighs over 420MB in size. Alongside, the Quick Share function is also improved as mentioned in the changelog.


• [April 28, 2021]: Samsung Galaxy A41 is grabbing the latest customized skin, One UI 3.1. The new package is rolling out in Russia for model number SM-A415F. The update arrives on the firmware version number A415FXXU1CUD4, which also carries the current security maintenance, April 2021. To know what exciting the build drives, click here.


• [June 11, 2020]: Samsung started rolling out the June 2020 security patch update for Galaxy A41. The fresh build can be identified by the A415FXXU1ATE5 firmware version. According to the release notes provided by the Korean giant, the update includes only the new security patch, and there are no new features added to the device. Though, internally it fixes several bugs ensuring the proper functioning and a seamless experience.

As the update is having a phase-wise rollout, it may take some time to reach all the units. In the meantime, you can head to Settings > Software updates > Security updates to check the update manually. We also suggest you switch over to a WiFi network before downloading the update to avoid data charges.

Related: [Update: June 2021 Security Patch] Realme 7 and 7 Pro Update Tracker

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Google Meet latest update on Android and iOS brings new features

Since the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the world, the involvement of video calling platforms has increased. Several such platforms have polished their services as per the needs of the customers. To keep up with the pace, Google is also constantly updating the Google Meet app to make it better, convenient, and easier to use.

Make sure to visit: Download Android 12 GApps for every Android device

The latest update of the Google Meet app on Android and iOS brings a set of new entertaining features. As announced by the software giant before, the Meet app has received some fresh interesting filters, masks, and effects.

In fact, many of these filters are identical to that of Google Duo. To see the fresh filters, tap on the sparkle icon on the bottom-right corner of your video feed. There you will see an "Effects" sheet with all the available options according to your account type.



Tapping and selecting these filters will turn your face into a Cat, Dog, purple Elephant, crocodile, and some other characters respectively. Moreover, you will be able to add new "Styles" like B&W and lens flare once you flash the update.



The latest Google Meet update is live for Android and iOS users. Plus, it can be accessed via the integrated Gmail experience as well. However, the web version didn't get lucky yet.

For the unaware, with the aim to influence the consideration of Google Meet, the company integrated the G-mail and G-meet experience. Moreover, Google has extended its free video calls for personal Gmail account users for up to 24 hours. To know how to start a video call in Google Meet directly via Gmail tap on the below button.

Create video call in Google Meet via Gmail

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