Whatsapp’s recent launch of its new desktop app has added a list of new things that users can do. However, it seems that users are not using the existing mobile application to its fullest.

Here is a list of tips and tricks that you may not have known exist.

1. Bold, italics, strike-through

To bold, simply add (*) to the beginning and end of the word. Similarly, you can italicise by adding (_) to the beginning and the end and strike a word by adding (~).

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2. Change an unsuspecting friend’s profile picture to a monkey

Go to contacts and copy your friend’s number. Rename the monkey image with your friend’s number, taking out the (+) then paste the image to his/her WhatsApp profile picture, and there you go, your friend is now a monkey.

3. No more Blue ticks

After opening settings on the app go to account and then privacy. Uncheck the ‘read receipts’. However, this trick has a drawback which is that you won’t be able to see if people have read your messages either.

4. Tricking the Blue tick

Once you have received a message, go to the phones settings and change the configuration to ‘airplane mode’. Now when you open the message the sender won’t see the blue ticks until you open WhatsApp again.

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5. You can also save your chat history

After opening settings in the application, go to chats and then chat backup. Configure your chat settings so that the backup frequency is either weekly or monthly, and you can also tick ‘include videos’.

6. Send a giant heart

This is a better known trick on the list, yet it’s worth mentioning. After typing the heart emoji send the message without including anything else.

7. You can also transfer videos between your phone and computer

Create a group, add a friend and then delete them. Next, open WhatsApp Web and login by scanning the QR code. Send the media you want to transfer to your computer through the WhatsApp group. Open the chat on the computer and the media is available there.

8. Customise your notifications rings for different chats

Go on the chat you want to set a ringtone for. Tap on the name and enable the ‘custom notifications’ option. Finally choose a ringtone of your choice.

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9. See someone’s ‘last seen’ while hiding yours

Send a message to the person of your choice and then delete the person from your contact list. The chat will still be in the app. Go to settings, account and then privacy and change the ‘last seen’ preferences to my contacts.

10. Change your Whatsapp wallpaper

This one is rather simple. To change the wallpaper, go to settings, chats and wallpaper and change it to an image of your choice.

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