Hack of the Day: Summarise hundreds of unread WhatsApp messages

Hack of the Day: Summarise hundreds of unread WhatsApp messages
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The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple terms, it's simple fixes for smarter living.'We’ve all been there—opening WhatsApp only to find hundreds of unread messages across noisy group chats, family planning threads, or school announcements. Reading each one can be overwhelming and time-consuming. That’s where WhatsApp’s message summaries powered by Meta AI come in. This feature helps you catch up quickly by condensing long conversations into a digestible overview, so you don’t miss the main points without slogging through every single message.

What it solves

  • Cuts through chat overload in busy groups.
  • Helps you catch up fast on important updates.
  • Saves time by highlighting key points instead of endless scrolling.
  • Keeps you informed without the stress of unread message counts piling up.

How to use message summaries

  1. Open the chat (individual or group) where you have unread messages.
  2. Tap the unread message indicator that appears above the new messages.
  3. If available, enable Message Summaries when prompted.
  4. Read the AI-generated summary to understand the main updates.
  5. Dive into specific messages only if you need more detail.

Best use cases

  • Noisy group chats where conversations move too fast.
  • Family planning threads with dozens of overlapping updates.
  • School or college announcements where you just need the essentials.
  • Event coordination chats to quickly grasp logistics.

Things to keep in mind

  • Availability may vary: Not all users have access yet, as WhatsApp is rolling this out gradually.
  • Optional feature: You can still read messages the traditional way if you prefer.
  • Not a replacement for detail: Summaries are best for quick catch-ups, but critical details (like passwords, addresses, or instructions) should still be read carefully.
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About the AuthorTOI Tech Desk

The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

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