Can new members see pinned messages in a WhatsApp group?
No: people who join after a message was pinned cannot see the pin, unless an admin sends them message history, which includes pins. What to do instead.
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No. WhatsApp's help centre says people who join a group after a message was pinned cannot see the pin. Since February 2026 an admin, or a member if admins allow it, can send a new member message history: up to 100 recent messages plus the pinned messages that are available. Without that, the newcomer sees only what is sent after they join.
| Where | Seen by | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A pinned message | People who were members when it was sent; later joiners only through message history | Reminders for current members |
| Message history | The new members it is sent to; everyone else sees a note that it was sent | Catching up on a conversation under way |
| The group description | Every member, however recently they joined | Rules, contacts, links |
| A fresh pin after they join | Anyone who is a member when it is posted | A start-here message |
What should you do instead?
- Put the permanent information in the description, which anyone can read in Group info.
- After new people join, post a short start-here message and pin it. A new pin is visible to current members.
- When someone joins mid-conversation, send message history while adding them, or use the Send message history option that appears after they join by link.
- Remember that pins last 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days, and a chat can have up to four.
Who can send message history?
Admins always can. Members can when they add someone, unless an admin turns off Send message history in Group permissions. Everyone in the group sees a system message when history is sent, so it is never silent.
The full explanation, with steps for Android, iPhone and Web and what history leaves out, is in new members seeing old messages.
Questions
Can new members see pinned messages?
Not by default. People who join after a message was pinned cannot see the pin unless message history is sent to them.
Does message history include pins?
Yes, up to 100 recent messages plus the pinned messages that are available.
How many messages can I pin?
Up to four per chat according to WhatsApp's help centre in October 2026, though some versions still allow three.