What does the square mean in WhatsApp - briefly?
The square icon in WhatsApp represents a media file that has been forwarded from another conversation or chat. This icon helps users quickly identify content that was not originally created or sent within their current chat.
What does the square mean in WhatsApp - in detail?
The square symbol in WhatsApp, which resembles a small grey box or square, is an integral part of the messaging platform's user interface and functionality. This symbol serves multiple purposes, each contributing to the overall user experience.
Firstly, the square symbol is used to indicate the status of messages sent by users. When you send a message on WhatsApp, it appears as a grey square next to your message. As soon as the recipient reads the message, this grey square turns into two blue ticks, signaling that your message has been delivered and read. This feature is known as "Read Receipts" and provides users with feedback on the delivery and reading status of their messages.
Secondly, the square symbol can also appear in group chats to indicate the presence or absence of a participant. In a group chat, each participant's name is accompanied by a grey square when they are not active or have not read the latest message. When a participant becomes active or reads the latest message, this grey square turns into a green circle, indicating their online status.
Additionally, the square symbol plays a role in media sharing on WhatsApp. When you share an image or video with someone, and they haven't downloaded it yet, you will see a grey square next to the media file. Once the recipient downloads the media, this grey square disappears. This feature helps users keep track of the status of shared multimedia content.
In summary, the square symbol in WhatsApp is a versatile indicator that provides valuable information about message delivery, participant status, and media sharing. Its presence enhances the user's ability to manage communications effectively on the platform.