WhatsApp Tips Easier (and Safer) In-Car Messaging, Adds 3 New Useful Features

Messaging people while you're driving is generally frowned upon, but WhatsApp is touting a "refreshed" version of the app for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that will keep you in the loop without taking your eyes off the road.

A wave of updates, meanwhile, also brings new features to the iPad and smartphones, as well as the desktop and web versions of the messaging app .

Behind the wheel, Meta says it has "completely refreshed the experience" across Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which previously offered different levels of functionality for drivers. "Now you can hear and respond to messages, make calls, see your call history, and reach your favorites – hands-free and right from your car's screen," WhatsApp says.

3 Useful Updates Coming to WhatsApp

• Sign up for a new WhatsApp account directly on an iPad. Meta launched WhatsApp for iPad last year, but you still had to create an account on a smartphone first. That requirement has now been dropped.

• Open PDF documents in WhatsApp for web or desktop while making small edits, such as highlighting or annotating, without leaving the app. Previously, you had to download the document and open it in separate software. These new tools are powered by Adobe Acrobat, and you won't need to activate anything to use them. However, this tool is currently limited to WhatsApp's desktop apps; no mobile access for now.

• Add songs from Apple Music or Spotify to your WhatsApp Status. "With just a couple of taps, your friends can see what you're into right now, making your Status even more uniquely you," WhatsApp says.

All of these updates are rolling out across each version of WhatsApp now, so ensure you're on the most up-to-date software to make the most of the latest tools.

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