WhatsApp's New 'Spoiler' Update Will Let You Keep Messages Hidden | How It Works

Last Updated:February 23, 2026, 14:46 IST

WhatsApp is testing a Spoiler text formatting feature, spotted by WABetaInfo in iOS and Android betas, letting users hide message parts like Reddit

WhatsApp is developing a new text formatting feature that could feel familiar to regular users of Reddit. The messaging platform is testing a ‘Spoiler’ option that will allow users to conceal parts of a message, revealing the hidden text only when the recipient taps on it.

The update was first spotted by WABetaInfo, a platform that tracks changes in beta versions of WhatsApp. According to the report, the feature has appeared in both iOS TestFlight beta and Android beta builds, indicating that development is underway across platforms.

Once rolled out, the Spoiler option is expected to sit alongside existing formatting tools such as bold, italic and strikethrough. Users will be able to mark specific portions of a message as a spoiler, which will then appear covered by a grey overlay. The recipient will have to tap on the concealed section to view the content.

WhatsApp may also introduce a shortcut method for enabling the feature. Similar to Reddit’s spoiler tagging system, users could add double vertical bars before and after the selected text to automatically format it as a spoiler. The resemblance to Reddit’s formatting style suggests that many users may find the feature intuitive.

At present, the Spoiler option appears to be limited to text messages. There is no confirmation on whether it will extend to images, videos or voice notes in future updates.

The feature could prove particularly useful in group chats, where spoilers related to web series, films or live sporting events are frequently shared. As not everyone consumes content at the same time, the option would allow conversations to continue without unintentionally revealing key details. In fast-moving groups with a high volume of messages, such a tool may offer greater flexibility and control over shared information.

WhatsApp has not announced an official timeline for the feature’s public release. Although it is visible in beta versions on both iOS and Android, features tested in beta do not always make it to the final rollout immediately. If introduced widely, the Spoiler tool would mark a small yet practical addition to WhatsApp’s message customisation capabilities.

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