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A Smart Convenience Already at Your Fingertips
While Apple users are buzzing about the upcoming iOS 26 update that introduces partial text copying in Messages, WhatsApp quietly beat them to the punch. The featureâoften overlooked in headlinesâhas already been available since WhatsApp version 25.16.81 on iPhones. With a few simple gestures, you can select and copy only the portion of a message you need. No beta software, no waitingâjust pure convenience.
This article explores WhatsAppâs ongoing innovation streak, its recent iPad app debut, and Metaâs broader monetization plans. If Appleâs latest announcements made you feel like youâre missing out, WhatsApp just gave you a reason to feel ahead of the curve.
WhatsApp Already Lets You Copy Text Partially â No iOS 26 Required
If Appleâs iOS 26 made headlines for finally introducing partial text copying in Messages, WhatsApp quietly slipped this feature into its iOS app several updates ago. As of version 25.16.81, iPhone users can easily select a specific part of any message and copy it. The process is intuitive: long-press the message bubble, then press and hold again on the text. Youâll see the familiar iOS text selection handlesâjust drag to highlight your desired section and hit copy.
Whatâs surprising is not that Apple is catching up with this simple utility, but that WhatsApp had it ready all along. The feature was seen earlier in beta testing before being rolled out publicly.
This update followed a series of new WhatsApp developments. Just days earlier, WhatsApp released its long-awaited iPad version, fulfilling a key user request. At the same time, Meta revealed efforts to implement usernames and ramp up monetization by planning ads in the appâs Status and Channels tabs. These steps suggest Meta is evolving WhatsApp beyond just a secure messaging app into a versatile communication hub.
Users who donât yet see the feature may simply need to update the app via the App Store. While Appleâs Messages app wonât see this change fully rolled out until iOS 26 exits beta, WhatsApp users are already enjoying a productivity boost without needing to wait for the next OS cycle.
What Undercode Say: đ± Messaging Innovation and Strategic Expansion
Appleâs Playing Catch-Up
From a tech innovation standpoint, Apple has long been admired for its polished ecosystem, but in this case, itâs following rather than leading. WhatsAppâs ability to quietly implement a feature many have been requesting for yearsâand to do so across platformsâis an impressive move.
Partial text copying is more than just a gimmick. Itâs a usability win, allowing users to quote specific parts of long texts in replies, share snippets, or store essential details without manually rewriting messages.
WhatsAppâs Strategic Momentum
Beyond this feature, WhatsAppâs rapid rollout of new updates is noteworthy. The release of its iPad app is a landmark for cross-device functionality. It breaks down ecosystem limitations and signals WhatsAppâs intention to dominate messaging on every platform, not just phones.
Metaâs monetization strategy is also unfolding more clearly. Introducing ads into Status and Channels could potentially alienate users, but if done subtlyâthink Instagram-style integrationâit might strike the right balance between user experience and revenue generation. The username feature, meanwhile, hints at a move toward greater personalization and possibly even public discoverability, similar to Telegram.
Competitive Landscape and User Loyalty
Messaging apps are in a race for relevance, and user retention is heavily influenced by small but impactful features. Apple will certainly polish its implementation, but WhatsApp’s first-mover advantage here is significant.
By proactively developing these tools, Meta positions WhatsApp not just as a communication platform but as a productivity and business toolâappealing to personal users and professionals alike.
â Fact Checker Results
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Partial text selection on WhatsApp for iOS has been available since version 25.16.81.
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Apple’s iOS 26 will include the same feature, but it’s still in beta.
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WhatsApp’s update spree includes a new iPad app, username setup, and ad placement plans.
đź Prediction
As Apple slowly brings feature parity to iMessage, WhatsApp will likely accelerate its own evolution. Expect more cross-device syncing, refined business tools, and enhanced user discovery mechanisms in the coming months. Metaâs approach is clear: stay ahead by delivering before the competition even starts talking.
References:
Reported By: 9to5mac.com
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