Ever returned to WhatsApp only to be overwhelmed by dozens (or hundreds) of unread messages in your group chat? WhatsApp is rolling out a smart new feature designed to help you catch up quickly — and it's powered by artificial intelligence.
Meet "Message Summaries"
Say hello to Message Summaries, a brand-new tool that uses Meta AI to condense your unread messages into a quick and simple overview. Instead of scrolling through endless texts just to figure out what's going on, you'll soon be able to get the gist in a couple of taps.
Here's how it works: when you open a chat with unread messages, you'll see an "unread messages" banner. Tap it, and Meta AI will generate a short summary of the key points from those messages — giving you a bird's-eye view before you even dive into the full conversation.
Privacy First — No Peeking, Says Meta
Naturally, privacy is a big concern when it comes to AI reading your messages. WhatsApp is making it clear: Meta and WhatsApp do not see your messages — nor do they have access to the summaries created. Everything stays between you and your phone.
Also, the summaries are just for your eyes only. Even if you're in a group chat, no one else will see the summary you asked Meta AI to create.
Opt-In Only: You're in Control
Message Summaries won't be automatically turned on. You'll need to enable it manually if you want to use it — either for individual chats or specific group chats. The toggle lives under the "Advanced Chat Privacy" section in a chat's settings.
So, if you're the kind of person who wants AI help with your messages but not at the expense of privacy or control, WhatsApp seems to have you covered.
Only in the U.S. (for Now)
There's a catch — as of now, the feature is only available for English-language chats in the United States. No official timeline has been given for when it will roll out to other countries or support more languages.
However, WhatsApp has stated its intention to expand globally and support additional languages later this year. So, Malaysians (and everyone else) — hang tight.
Why It Matters
This is one of WhatsApp's biggest AI-forward steps so far, and it comes at a time when more users are looking for tools that save time and reduce digital overwhelm. Between work groups, family chats, and endless forwarded messages, catching up can sometimes feel like a chore.
With Message Summaries, WhatsApp hopes to make the process smarter, faster, and a lot more manageable — all without compromising on your privacy.