New WhatsApp Feature Lets Android Users Select Specific Words in Chats

A few weeks ago, WhatsApp for iOS introduced a highly requested feature that allows users to select and copy specific portions of a chat message. Instead of copying the entire message, iPhone users can now tap and hold a message, then drag to highlight and extract only the relevant words, phrases, or sentences they need. This feature significantly improves usability, especially when sharing or saving precise pieces of information.

Now, WhatsApp appears to be preparing the same capability for Android users. With the release of WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.18.3, available via the Google Play Store, signs of this upcoming feature have been spotted. According to the latest findings, WhatsApp is developing a similar selection tool that will let Android users choose and copy specific parts of a message, just like on iOS.

A preview screenshot shows that this feature is already in the works. Once implemented, Android users will be able to activate the new partial selection tool by tapping and holding on a message. They will then be able to highlight exactly what they want—be it a single word or an entire sentence. This tool will be available across all conversation types, including individual chats, group messages, and channels, offering greater flexibility regardless of context.

The partial selection feature removes the need to copy-paste whole messages and manually delete unnecessary parts. It enhances message control and efficiency, letting users quickly extract the most important content with minimal effort.

However, this feature is not yet available on Android due to a pending update to the message context menu. WhatsApp previously announced a redesigned message interface for Android in the beta update 2.23.11.4, which brings a cleaner, more intuitive menu similar to iOS. The partial selection feature depends on this new interface to function properly. As soon as the updated menu is released, partial message selection should become available for Android users too.

Until then, Android users will have to wait a bit longer for this handy feature. WhatsApp has confirmed that it is in development and will be released in a future update. More information will be shared as the rollout progresses.