WhatsApp recently introduced a new polls feature that allows users to create polls and send them to groups or individuals. This can be a fun way to ask questions and get feedback from friends or colleagues. If you want to try out the new WhatsApp polls, here is what you need to know.
What are WhatsApp polls?
WhatsApp polls allow you to create a poll with up to 12 options that you can send to WhatsApp groups or individual chats. Users you send the poll to can vote and see real-time results. It’s a quick and easy way to survey a group of people about their preferences, get their opinions on something, or make a group decision.
Who can use WhatsApp polls?
The polls feature is available for both Android and iOS users worldwide who have the latest version of WhatsApp installed. Make sure your WhatsApp is updated to take advantage of polls and other new features.
How to get the WhatsApp polls feature
If polls aren’t showing up for you yet, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. Here’s how to update:
- On Android: Open the Google Play Store app, tap the hamburger menu in the top left, choose “My Apps & Games.” If there is an “Update” button next to WhatsApp, tap it to update.
- On iOS: Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down to see available app updates and choose “Update” next to WhatsApp.
Once your app is updated, the polls option should be available when you go to create a new chat. If you still don’t see it, try force quitting the app and restarting it.
How to create a WhatsApp poll
Creating a poll is easy and only takes a few taps. Here are the steps:
- Open an existing chat or start a new group or individual chat in WhatsApp.
- At the bottom where you enter messages, tap the Attach button (paperclip icon).
- From the menu that pops up, choose “Poll.”
- Enter your question or prompt for the poll.
- Tap the plus icon to add answer options (add 2-12 options).
- Tap the check mark icon when finished to send the poll.
Once you send the poll, recipients can simply tap an option to vote. They can change their vote later if they want. You can see real-time results that update as people vote.
Adding poll options
When creating a poll, tap the plus icon to add each answer option you want to include. Here are some tips for writing good poll answers:
- Keep answers clear and concise.
- Provide mutually exclusive answer choices.
- Include 2-6 answer options for ideal results.
- Test different options to see what works best.
- Use emojis to make answer choices visual.
WhatsApp poll limits
WhatsApp has set the following limits on polls:
- Up to 12 options per poll
- Polls expire after 1 week
- Anonymous results
- Can forward polls or share to status
- Anyone in a chat can create a poll
Make sure to craft your poll questions and answers within these limits. For more complex surveys, you may want to use a dedicated survey app or platform.
Sharing and viewing poll results
As people vote in your WhatsApp poll, you can tap on the poll to see real-time results. To share results, tap the three dots in the top-right of the poll preview and choose “Share live results.”
Results are anonymous, so you won’t see who voted for what. Other things to note:
- Anyone in the chat can view live results.
- Results update in real-time as votes come in.
- People can change votes until the poll expires.
- Polls expire and results disappear after 1 week.
Using WhatsApp polls
Here are some fun ways you can use the new WhatsApp poll feature:
- Get group opinions – “Where should we go for dinner?”
- Make decisions – “Which day works best this week?”
- Get recommendations – “What movie should we watch tonight?”
- Survey groups – “What features would you like added to the app?”
- Create quizzes – “Which band recorded this song?”
- Test hypotheses – “Will beet juice lower blood pressure?”
Polls are a handy way to quickly survey a group or make casual decisions. Just remember to keep poll questions focused, options clear, and keep the 1 week expiration in mind.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp polls
If you’re having trouble with WhatsApp polls, here are some steps to try:
- Update the app – Make sure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version.
- Force quit and restart – Sometimes closing and restarting the app fixes issues.
- Check your connection – Polls may fail to send or load if you have a poor connection.
- Reinstall WhatsApp – As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to fix persistent bugs.
- Report issues to WhatsApp – Go to WhatsApp Settings > Help > Contact Us to report persistent problems.
WhatsApp is continually improving the polls feature and fixing bugs. Reporting specific issues you encounter can help improve the experience for everyone.
FAQs about WhatsApp polls
Can I edit a poll after sending it?
No, once you send a WhatsApp poll it cannot be edited or deleted. Make sure your poll is ready before tapping send.
Can I vote in my own poll?
Yes, you can vote in a poll you created yourself. Your vote will be anonymous like everyone else’s.
How many options can a WhatsApp poll have?
WhatsApp polls are currently limited to a maximum of 12 answer options per poll.
Can I prevent people from changing their votes?
No, there is no way to lock in votes. People can freely change their votes up until the poll expires after 1 week.
How do I end a WhatsApp poll early?
There is no way to manually end a poll early. WhatsApp polls automatically expire and disappear after 1 week. Plan poll timing accordingly.
Can I save the results of a WhatsApp poll?
You can take a screenshot of the poll results before they disappear after the 1 week expiration. There is no built-in way to export or save results.
How many polls can I have going at once?
There is no limit on how many active polls you can have in different WhatsApp chats at the same time using your account.
Who can create a poll in a WhatsApp group?
Any member of a WhatsApp group can create and send a poll in the group chat, not just admins. All group members can vote and view results.
Conclusion
WhatsApp polls provide a quick and easy way to survey friends, family, colleagues, or groups to collect feedback and make decisions. With just a few taps, you can create a poll with multiple choice options and send it to any chat or group. As people weigh in with their votes, you can watch results in real-time. Remember that WhatsApp polls expire automatically after one week, so use this feature for casual and timely surveys. Keep an eye out for more updates on how WhatsApp expands polls and other business features in the future.