WhatsApp to add ‘Quick Recap’ feature to summarise multiple chats at once, report says

Meta is developing numerous new AI-driven features for WhatsApp. One of these features is called Quick Recap, providing users with a brief overview of unread messages. As reported by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, this functionality is in development and has been observed in the new beta release of WhatsApp for Android (2.25.21.12).

Although beta testers don’t have access to the feature yet, the report indicates that Quick Recap is designed to enhance user navigation through extensive or numerous chat threads. The function is said to be developed based on WhatsApp’s prior message summaries feature, enabling users to see an overview of unread messages within a single chat. This summary function is now accessible in the US.

Returning to the new Quick Recap feature, it is said to be slightly more advanced than the summary feature. Users will be able to choose up to five chats at the same time and get a brief, AI-created summary of essential points from every discussion. It is claimed to be created to assist users in conserving the time and energy spent scrolling through countless message threads, particularly after being absent from the app for some time.

According to the screenshot of the feature provided by WABetaInfo, users can access Quick Recap by navigating to the Chats tab, selecting multiple conversations, tapping the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, and choosing the Quick Recap option. When activated, Meta’s internal AI will analyze unread messages and generate a concise summary of the discussions—providing a fast and clear method to get up to speed.

The report highlights that the Quick Recap feature incorporates Meta’s Private Processing technology, which offers a privacy-centered method that guarantees user messages stay private even while undergoing AI processing. Meta previously stated that its Private Processing employs end-to-end encryption, secure enclaves, and isolated computation to safeguard data. Consequently, neither Meta nor WhatsApp can access the original messages or the created summaries. The AI always manages readable information within the secure enclave, protecting content even while summarizing.

Moreover, the report mentioned that the new Quick Recap feature will be entirely optional for users. It will have to be activated manually via Settings and will not be switched on automatically. Chats secured by WhatsApp’s Advanced Chat Privacy settings will be automatically excluded from this feature.

Regarding availability, the Quick Recap feature is presently accessible only in preview through the Android beta channel. WhatsApp is anticipated to implement it step by step for testers in upcoming beta versions before launching it more extensively to all Android users.