WhatsApp custom lists: Here’s a complete setup guide

WhatsApp’s new custom lists feature, released in October 2024, lets users organise and filter their chats by categories of their choice, such as “Family,” “Work,” or “Local Neighborhood.”

Story Summary:

• WhatsApp’s custom lists feature lets users organise chats by categories like “Family” or “Work,” offering an easy way to focus on specific conversations.
• Custom lists serve as chat filters within the main chat tab, providing quick access to prioritized contacts.
• Setting up and managing custom lists is simple on both Android and iOS, with options to add, edit, and delete lists as needed.

What are WhatsApp custom lists?

This feature enhances the chat experience by allowing users to focus on specific groups of contacts without the clutter of scrolling through unrelated chats.

Custom lists differ from WhatsApp‘s earlier Broadcast Lists, which are one-way communication tools.

Instead, these custom lists serve as filters, allowing you to manage both one-on-one and group chats by placing them under specific categories within the main chat tab.

When a custom list is selected, WhatsApp displays only the conversations that fall under that category, giving users easy access to important chats as needed.

Creating and editing custom lists is straightforward, thanks to the feature’s integration within the filter bar at the top of the Chats tab.

You can quickly add, rename, or remove lists, making it a flexible tool to prioritize and streamline conversations.

How to set up custom lists on Android

1. Update WhatsApp: Ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp, as custom lists are only available on the latest app version.
2. Access the Filter Bar: Open the WhatsApp app, and look at the filter bar at the top of your Chats tab.
3. Create a New List: Tap the “+” icon in the filter bar to start creating a new custom list. Name your list, such as “Family” or “Work,” to make it easily identifiable.
4. Add Chats: Once your list is created, tap on it and select the one-on-one and group chats you want to include. Both individual contacts and groups can be added to a single list.
5. Manage Your List: To edit or rename a list, long-press on the list name in the filter bar. You can then add or remove chats, rename the list, or delete it as needed.

How to set up custom lists on iOS

1. Update WhatsApp: First, update WhatsApp to the latest version via the App Store to ensure compatibility with the custom lists feature.
2. Open the Filter Bar: Launch WhatsApp, and navigate to the Chats tab, where you’ll see the filter bar at the top.
3. Add a Custom List: Tap the “+” symbol in the filter bar to create a new list. Enter a relevant name, like “Friends” or “Projects.”
4. Select Chats: Once your list is named, you can add individual chats or group conversations by selecting from your contacts.
5. Edit or Remove Lists: To modify an existing list, simply long-press the list name in the filter bar. You can then adjust the chats included or rename the list as necessary.