In Italy, WhatsApp is not just a messaging application; it has become a true digital town square. From urgent work communications to family chats organizing Sunday lunch, this platform permeates every aspect of our Mediterranean daily life. However, many users stick to the basic functions, unaware of a universe of possibilities that can radically transform the user experience, making it more organized, expressive, and, above all, secure.
Technological evolution moves fast, but the need for clarity and confidentiality remains a timeless tradition. Knowing how to format text isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a form of digital courtesy that prevents misunderstandings. Likewise, managing privacy in a European context that is increasingly focused on data protection is essential for maintaining control over one’s digital life. In this article, we will explore how to master these tools on both smartphones and PCs.
Mastery of WhatsApp is not measured by the number of messages sent, but by the ability to communicate clearly and protect your personal space.
The Art of Formatting: Writing with Style and Clarity
Writing on WhatsApp often requires the ability to emphasize certain words, simulating the tone of voice we would use in a live conversation. Using bold, italics, and strikethrough isn’t just for embellishing text, but for structuring thoughts, especially in long or work-related messages. To make text bold, simply enclose the word or phrase in two asterisks (*text*), while for italics, you use underscores (_text_).
A lesser-known but very useful feature is monospace, which is achieved with three backticks (“`text“`), perfect for sending code or highlighting technical data. Recently, Meta also introduced the ability to create automatic bulleted and numbered lists, greatly simplifying life for those who use the app for shopping lists or work tasks. If you want to explore all the possible combinations, you can consult our specific guide on how to use bold, italics, and strikethrough on WhatsApp Web.
Customized Privacy: Managing Visibility and Access
Italian culture is sociable, but places great value on the distinction between public and private life. WhatsApp offers granular tools to decide who can see what. In the privacy settings, you can configure who sees your Last Seen and Online status. Many professionals choose to hide this information to avoid the pressure of having to respond immediately outside of work hours, preserving their right to disconnect.
Another crucial aspect concerns read receipts, the famous blue ticks. Disabling them reduces the pressure to reply, although it also prevents you from seeing others’ (reciprocity). It’s a trade-off that many find liberating. For an optimal configuration of these settings, it’s helpful to follow the steps described in the article dedicated to the privacy of Last Seen and blue ticks.
Advanced Protection: Chat Lock and Disappearing Messages
For those who often share their device with family or colleagues, or simply want a higher level of security, the Chat Lock feature is revolutionary. This option allows you to move your most sensitive conversations into a separate folder, accessible only via biometric authentication (fingerprint or Face ID) or the phone’s passcode. This way, notifications from these chats will show neither the sender nor the preview content.
In parallel, the use of disappearing messages is changing how we perceive digital permanence. Setting a timer for messages to self-destruct (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days) ensures that information is not stored forever, reducing your digital footprint and freeing up space. To better understand how to lock down your conversations, read the tips on how to make WhatsApp Web secure and protect your chats.
WhatsApp Web: Productivity and Security on the Big Screen
Using WhatsApp on a computer is now standard in Italian offices. However, the large screen exposes you to greater risks of “prying eyes.” An essential feature for those working in open-plan offices is the screen lock for the Web version, which requires a password to access chats after a period of inactivity. This prevents colleagues from reading your conversations if you step away from your desk.
To maximize efficiency, it’s essential to know the keyboard shortcuts. Key combinations allow you to open new chats, archive conversations, or mark them as unread without ever touching the mouse. This “keyboard-first” approach significantly speeds up your workflow. Discover all the quick commands in our in-depth guide on keyboard shortcuts for WhatsApp Web.
Media Quality and Editing Messages
The era of grainy photos on WhatsApp is over. The platform now supports sending images and videos in High Definition (HD). When selecting media to send, just tap the “HD” icon at the top to ensure that the details of a document or the beauty of a landscape are not lost in compression. This is vital for those who use the app to send photo quotes or graphic materials.
The ability to edit a message within 15 minutes of sending has eliminated the embarrassment of typos, transforming impulsive communication into a more polished dialogue.
The edit message feature is a lifesaver for correcting typos or clarifying poorly expressed concepts, without having to delete and rewrite everything (leaving the annoying “message deleted” label). Just press and hold the sent message and select “Edit”.
In Brief (TL;DR)
Learn how to get the most out of WhatsApp on PC and smartphone with essential tips for text formatting and advanced privacy settings.
Learn to format text with bold and italics and manage privacy settings to protect your conversations.
Discover advanced settings to protect your privacy and manage your chats securely.
Conclusion
Mastering WhatsApp Web and the mobile app isn’t just about knowing the technical features, but knowing how to adapt them to your lifestyle and work needs. From formatting that makes text more readable to privacy settings that protect our personal sphere, each tool contributes to a more conscious digital experience. In a market like Italy’s, where communicative tradition and technological innovation meet, using these tips and tricks allows you to stay connected without sacrificing security and professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
For bold, use an asterisk (*text*), for italics, an underscore (_text_), for strikethrough, a tilde (~text~), and for monospace, three backticks (“`text“`). Alternatively, select the typed text and choose the desired option from the pop-up menu.
Yes, for maximum privacy, go to Settings > Privacy > Last seen and online. Set ‘Who can see my last seen’ to ‘Nobody’ and ‘Who can see when I’m online’ to ‘Same as last seen’.
Enable Screen Lock in the Privacy settings of WhatsApp Web. This feature requires a password to view your chats after a period of inactivity, which is ideal for security in the office.
Select the media file and tap the icon with the circled number 1 in the caption bar before sending. The recipient will be able to view the content only once and will not be able to save it or take a screenshot.
Disable Read Receipts in the Privacy menu. Keep in mind that this setting is reciprocal: you won’t see others’ receipts either. In group chats, the blue ticks will still be visible.
Did you find this article helpful? Is there another topic you'd like to see me cover?
Write it in the comments below! I take inspiration directly from your suggestions.