WhatsApp introduces a useful feature: it will identify details like phone numbers and addresses, and display specific options for them..

While chatting on WhatsApp, you often need to save a phone number, add a meeting date to your calendar, or send an email to a specific address. You may no longer need to frequently switch between apps for these minor tasks. WhatsApp is rolling out a new 'Smart Text Actions' feature that identifies key information within messages and provides relevant shortcuts.

A dotted underline will appear beneath the text in your chats. According to a report by WABetaInfo, the Smart Text Actions feature is being made available to select WhatsApp users on both Android and iOS. The feature can automatically detect information such as phone numbers, dates, times, email addresses, or physical addresses within a message.

When such information is detected, a dotted underline may appear beneath the text. Tapping on this text will open a pop-up menu containing relevant options. The detected information will also be displayed at the top of the menu, allowing users to verify that the app has correctly identified the intended text.

This functionality works in both individual and group chats, for both sent and received messages. If a user prefers not to use these shortcuts, they can simply ignore the underlined text and continue chatting as usual. Different shortcuts are provided based on the type of information detected. For instance, tapping on a phone number may offer options to copy it, save it to your contacts, or initiate a call.

Similarly, for dates and times, you can copy the information, add it to your phone's calendar, or create a new event directly within WhatsApp. Addresses can be opened in a maps app to begin navigation. Tapping on an email address may provide options to send an email via your default email app or copy the address. While some of these actions were already possible within WhatsApp, this new feature organizes them conveniently in one place. Users will be able to provide feedback on shortcuts—WhatsApp may also seek user feedback regarding the suggested shortcuts. After selecting a text action, the app might ask whether the suggestion was useful. This can help the app understand how effective its text recognition and the provided options are.

Currently, WhatsApp has not officially announced the launch of the 'Smart Text Actions' feature. It is being rolled out gradually; therefore, even if you are using the latest version of Android or iOS, the feature may not be immediately available to all users.