WhatsApp Now Summarizes Your Unread Messages Using AI

WhatsApp is making it easier to catch up on conversations you've missed with a new AI-powered feature that summarizes unread messages. The Meta-owned messaging app now lets users tap on unread message counts to "Summarize privately" and get quick, bulleted summaries generated by Meta AI instead of scrolling through every individual message.

whatsapp message ai summaries
The feature uses Meta's "Private Processing" technology, which the company claims keeps your messages and summaries completely private – even Meta and WhatsApp staff can't see them. Other chat participants won't know you've used the summary feature either.

Message Summaries is rolling out in English to US users first, with other countries and languages coming later this year. The feature is optional and turned off by default, giving users control over which chats can use AI features through Advanced Chat Privacy settings.

Apple Intelligence offers similar message notification summaries on Apple devices. However, Apple's feature has run into some embarrassing hiccups, particularly with news notifications where AI summaries have created misleading headlines. Apple subsequently chose to disable AI summaries for news apps, and has added warnings that the feature is still in beta.

For now, WhatsApp's approach is focused on private conversations only. Whether it can avoid some of the pitfalls Apple's AI has encountered remains to be seen.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...

Top Rated Comments

fatTribble Avatar
10 weeks ago
Do people really get text messages so long that they require a summary?
I would never want to summarize anything that a friend sent to me.
So I’m really missing the point.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ZeroInspo Avatar
10 weeks ago
Alternate headline: What’sApp it’s making it easier for me to stop using it.

I think LLMs and ””””AI”””” is useful, truly. But I don’t want that **** reading my messages. That’s my red line.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Havalo Avatar
10 weeks ago

The feature uses Meta's "Private Processing" technology, which the company claims ('https://blog.whatsapp.com/catch-up-on-conversations-with-private-message-summaries') keeps your messages and summaries completely private – even Meta and WhatsApp staff can't see them
I believe it, wholeheartedly!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
10 weeks ago
Meta repulsion aside, that image made me all nostalgic for a second, thinking of this:


Attachment Image
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surferfb Avatar
10 weeks ago

Do people really get text messages so long that they require a summary?
I would never want to summarize anything that a friend sent to me.
So I’m really missing the point.
I think the use case is more group chats. Like when I come out of a 30 minute meeting to see 75+ unread messages (glares at wife and sister-in-law in “family” group thread).

Edit: @Godspeed8230 beat me to it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Godspeed8230 Avatar
10 weeks ago

Do people really get text messages so long that they require a summary?
I would never want to summarize anything that a friend sent to me.
So I’m really missing the point.
Well for chaotic group chats this can be useful so yeah, I can see the point.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)