WhatsApp has introduced a significant upgrade to its group chat functionality by implementing multi-user typing indicators. The Meta-owned messaging platform now displays the exact number of participants actively composing messages in a group, replacing the previous system that only showed one name regardless of how many users were typing simultaneously.
This refined typing notification appears directly in the chat list as dynamic text such as “3 people typing,” providing immediate insight into group activity without requiring users to open the conversation. The enhancement proves particularly valuable in active group discussions where multiple participants often engage at once, offering clearer context about the conversation’s current state.
The update specifically applies to text-based messaging, maintaining WhatsApp’s original behaviour for voice messages where only one participant’s name appears during simultaneous audio recording. When several typing indicators appear, users gain valuable context that multiple responses may arrive shortly, helping them decide whether to join the active discussion or check back later.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.17: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows how many people are typing a message in a group chat, and it's available to some beta testers!https://t.co/kHZQOAaJGq pic.twitter.com/mxZFKmkWRa
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 11, 2025
This increased visibility serves multiple practical purposes. It helps users identify particularly active conversations that might require immediate attention while allowing busy individuals to postpone engaging during peak activity periods. The indicator also provides subtle cues about important unfolding discussions where multiple participants are responding simultaneously.
WhatsApp has begun gradually rolling out this feature to its global user base, with full deployment expected in the coming weeks. The improvement reflects WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to enhancing core communication features while maintaining the app’s signature simplicity and ease of use. Group administrators and frequent group chat participants will especially appreciate this added layer of conversation transparency.
The typing indicator upgrade follows WhatsApp’s pattern of iterative improvements to group communication dynamics. By providing better visibility into real-time group activity, the feature helps users manage their messaging priorities more effectively and participate in conversations at the most relevant moments.