WhatsApp will allow you to block contacts from the first message notification

The Android version of WhatsApp is getting a new setting that allows you to block contacts from the very first pop-up notification displayed when receiving messages from users who are not in your contact list. Another improvement is the camera interface, which will now appear split into two tabs, with custom options for photos and video capture.

Whereas in the previous version, blocking a contact on WhatsApp could only be done after the conversation was already “logged” as a chat session in the app’s history, blocking awkward people will now be more straightforward. So instead of searching the list for the newly appeared chat session, selecting it and choosing the Block option, you’ll be able to access this setting directly from the Android notification triggered for the first received message. This way, any harassment attempts on WhatsApp can be “dealt with” with minimal effort, without even having to enter the app.

Relevant only for incoming message requests from people not already in your WhatsApp address book, the new quick setting for blocking contacts appears along with the capture interface split into Video and Photo tabs, for now only in WhatsApp Beta v2.23.2.5. The Meta administrator will probably officially announce the new functionality at a later date.