Chat Features

Chat tools schedule sends, reply when you are away, or lock threads behind a PIN. They help on busy days and shared phones—but contacts should know when a message is automated, and locks do not replace full-device encryption.

Where chat tools hide in settings

Look under GB Settings for Scheduler, Auto Reply, Chat Lock, or Message tools. Labels move between releases; search “schedule,” “reply,” or “lock” if menus changed after an update.

Some features work only in one-to-one chats; group schedulers or group auto-replies are less common and may be missing entirely on your build.

Message scheduler

Schedulers queue text or media for a later time. They need the app allowed to run in the background—battery savers on Xiaomi, Oppo, and Samsung can delay or kill scheduled sends until you open the app manually.

  1. Compose the message and pick a time at least a few minutes ahead
  2. Confirm pending items in GB Settings if your build lists a scheduled queue
  3. Stay on Wi‑Fi for scheduled media; large files may fail if data saver kicks in
  4. Double-check time zone after travel—scheduled sends use phone local time

Auto-reply

Keep templates short and label them as automated (“Away until 5pm—auto reply”). Avoid auto-replies in family groups unless everyone expects a bot-style response.

Auto-reply does not replace reading urgent messages later; it only sends the first template when rules match.

  • Work-hours auto-reply vs always-on vacation message
  • Exclude specific contacts when your build supports allow lists
  • Turn off auto-reply before OTP or banking SMS threads forwarded to WhatsApp

Chat lock and app lock

Chat lock protects individual threads with PIN or fingerprint. App lock gates the whole client. Neither hides notifications on the lock screen unless you also adjust Android notification privacy settings.

Forgotten PINs may require clearing lock data and re-verifying the app—back up before experimenting on your main number.

Filters, pins, and broadcast lists

Pinned chats and custom filters help busy inboxes. Broadcast lists behave like official WhatsApp: recipients see replies only to you, not to each other.

If a scheduled message targets a broadcast list, verify the list still exists after restore from backup—lists do not always migrate across mod versions.

When tools stop working after an update

Reopen GB Settings and re-enable scheduler or auto-reply toggles; updates sometimes default them off. If sends stay pending, disable battery optimization for GB WhatsApp Pro once, then retry on Wi‑Fi.

DND and quiet hours

In-app DND modes pause alerts without turning off system notifications for other apps. Pair DND with auto-reply so contacts know you are not ignoring them manually.