WhatsApp Finally Rolls Out Message Drafts: A Long-Awaited Convenience, But There's a Catch

For years, WhatsApp users have wished for a feature to save unsent messages—a safety net for those moments when life distracts us mid-thought. Now, that wish has finally come true. WhatsApp has officially introduced the Message Drafts feature, offering a helpful reminder to hit send on those half-written replies before they’re forgotten in the clutter of our daily chats.

But, as with many good things, there’s a catch.

How Does the Drafts Feature Work?

Here’s how this new addition plays out in practice:

When you start typing a message in a chat but fail to send it, WhatsApp now marks the chat with a “Draft” indicator in green. This ensures you won’t miss returning to the conversation. What’s more, that chat moves to the top of your chats list, subtly nudging you to finish what you started.

The goal? To keep you organized and reduce the chances of leaving someone waiting for your reply.

A Step Forward, But Not Far Enough

While this feature is undoubtedly helpful, it’s not without limitations. WhatsApp currently restricts draft functionality to the device where the message was initiated. In other words, if you start typing a message on your phone, the draft won’t appear on your companion devices or WhatsApp Web.

This is a notable contrast to Telegram, a major competitor, which has long offered seamless draft synchronization across all devices. On Telegram, users can start a message on their phone and finish it on their laptop or tablet—a convenience that feels natural in today’s multi-device world.

Unfortunately, WhatsApp’s omission of cross-device syncing leaves many users disappointed, especially as the platform has been expanding its multi-device functionality over the past year.

Why This Matters

In a world where conversations are fluid and devices interchangeable, having drafts sync across all devices feels like a necessity, not a luxury. Imagine starting a message on your phone while commuting and realizing you need to send it from your laptop when you get to work. Telegram handles this with ease. For WhatsApp users, though, it’s a missed opportunity that underscores the platform’s cautious approach to new features.

Room for Improvement

While the Message Drafts feature is a welcome addition, its current limitations raise questions about WhatsApp’s priorities. The messaging giant, owned by Meta, has been steadily rolling out enhancements like Channels, Communities, and improved file-sharing capabilities. However, this incremental approach to innovation risks falling short of user expectations, especially when rivals like Telegram continue to push the envelope.