If you got excited by yesterday’s news that iOS 26 will let you copy parts of a text message in Messages, but aren’t running the beta and don’t want to feel left out, here’s some good news: you can already do that on WhatsApp.
Since version 25.16.81, WhatsApp has offered partial text selection on iPhone, letting you highlight and copy just the specific section of a message you want.
To use it, long-press the message bubble, then press and hold again on the text itself. This brings up the familiar iOS text selection handles. From there, drag to highlight exactly what you need, and tap Copy.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because Apple just announced a similar feature coming to Messages in iOS 26 (and yes, many other messaging apps have supported this for ages). While that Messages update is still in beta, WhatsApp’s version is already out.
WhatsApp goes on an update spree
The feature was first spotted in WhatsApp beta builds earlier this month, just days after it launched its long-awaited iPad app and revealed it was laying the groundwork for usernames. Meta also recently announced plans to start showing ads in WhatsApp’s Status and Channels tabs, moves that, taken together, signal a broader push to revamp the app experience and ramp up monetization.
If you don’t see the text selection option yet, check for updates in the App Store.
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