WhatsApp Adds Smart Text Actions: Tap a Phone Number, Date or Address to Act on It

The feature highlights details in chats and offers shortcuts to call, save, add to calendar or open in maps, and WhatsApp reportedly processes it on the device.

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature called Smart Text Actions, which recognises phone numbers, dates, times, addresses and email IDs in chats and offers shortcuts to act on them, according to reports. The aim is to cut the copying and app-switching that usually follows when someone shares details in a conversation. WhatsApp has tested related ideas before, such as underlined phone numbers and links in a past beta.

The feature is reaching select Android and iPhone users on the latest app versions, and it works on incoming and outgoing messages in one-to-one and group chats.

How it works

When WhatsApp spots a supported detail, it shows a dotted underline. Tapping it opens a pop-up with relevant actions, along with the detected text so you can check that WhatsApp read it correctly. If you don’t want the shortcut, you can ignore the underline and carry on chatting.

What you can do

• Phone numbers: copy the number, save it as a contact or call it. Business numbers may also show business information.
• Dates and times: copy the details, add them to your device calendar or create an event inside WhatsApp.
• Addresses: copy the address or open it in a maps app for directions.
• Email addresses: copy the address or open your default email app to write a message.

Privacy

According to reports, WhatsApp detects these formats on the device using pattern matching, without sending message content or suggested actions to its servers. The company reportedly says the feature does not affect end-to-end encryption. Users can also reportedly give feedback on whether a suggestion was helpful, which helps WhatsApp catch wrong detections or unnecessary prompts.

Availability

The rollout is gradual, so the feature may not appear on every phone yet, and WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for a wider release. Keeping the app updated is the best way to receive it. For people who often share contact details, meeting times and locations in chats, the update could save a few taps each time.

Sources: as reported by Times of India, WABetaInfo, Gadgets Now and Gadgets 360 (per your paste), plus WABetaInfo for earlier context.