WhatsApp Is Testing AI Summaries for Unread Messages—Here’s How

WhatsApp is working on a powerful AI-powered feature to help users catch up on unread messages without scrolling endlessly. Currently in testing for select Android users, this new addition leverages Meta AI to generate smart summaries of unread messages across personal chats, group conversations, and even channels.

What Is WhatsApp’s AI Message Summarization?

As first spotted by WABetaInfo and reported by Tecnoblog, the feature introduces a “Summarize with Meta AI” button. This replaces the traditional “X unread messages” label when Meta AI detects a backlog of unread messages in a conversation. Once tapped, the tool provides a brief yet informative summary of all the unread messages—saving users from the need to scroll through long message threads.

It’s especially useful for busy group chats or when you’re coming back from a digital detox. Whether it’s 10 or 100 unread messages, Meta AI condenses the chatter into a digestible summary.

Privacy Remains a Top Priority

Meta claims this AI-powered feature was built with privacy-first architecture. The summaries are generated through a system called Private Processing—a cloud-based engine that processes data temporarily and deletes it immediately after summarization is complete. This ensures that none of your message content is stored or linked to your identity.

Think of Private Processing as Meta’s answer to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. It’s also fully optional—users can opt-in or opt-out of the feature at any time. Moreover, it won’t function in chats where Advanced Privacy settings are enabled, even if end-to-end encryption is active.

“Writing Help” Is Also on the Way

In addition to summaries, WhatsApp is preparing to roll out another Meta AI tool called “Writing Help.” Much like Apple’s Writing Tools, this feature lets you refine your messages before sending—offering grammar correction, tone adjustments, and style improvements.

Just like the summarization tool, Writing Help operates under the Private Processing system, ensuring your data is handled securely and transparently.

Keeping It in the (Meta) Family

These new AI experiments come at an interesting time—especially considering Meta’s recent decision to block Apple Intelligence-powered features like Writing Tools in all Meta-owned apps. By choosing to retain control over how AI is integrated into its platforms, Meta is positioning WhatsApp’s in-app summarization and writing tools as part of a broader strategy to deliver native AI experiences on its own terms—not Apple’s.

What’s your take on Meta developing its own AI tools while blocking Apple Intelligence in its apps? Share your thoughts in the comments.