WhatsApp Beta Testing New ‘Favourites’ Tab for Speed Dial Contacts

WhatsApp is reportedly in the process of testing a new feature called “Favourites,” aimed at enhancing user experience by providing quicker access to frequently contacted contacts. This feature, spotted in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android, enables users to add, reorder, or remove contacts within a specific order, creating a personalized speed dial list. Although the feature is not yet visible to beta testers, it is expected to become available in upcoming updates, potentially streamlining communication for users who frequently message specific contacts.

The integration of the Favourites tab within the Settings menu, as highlighted by the WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, suggests that users will have the ability to customize their list of preferred contacts for easy access. While the specific details of the feature remain undisclosed, it appears that users will be able to curate a list of their most important contacts, akin to a speed dial interface, facilitating swift messaging to those deemed most significant. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential redundancy of the feature, as it requires navigating through multiple screens to access, contrasting with the app’s existing mechanisms for prioritizing and pinning frequently used chats.