Keyboard Shortcuts
Control WhatsApp from your keyboard. Volt lets you move through chats, clear your inbox, and act on messages without reaching for the mouse.
How shortcuts work
Volt uses contextual shortcuts. The available keys change depending on whether you are navigating the chat list, writing a message, or browsing messages in an open chat.
- Chat list — Move between chats, open one, archive it, mark it as unread, or place it in a list.
- Composer — Search the open chat, send and archive, or move from the composer into message browsing.
- Messages — Move between messages and reply, react, forward, pin, star, edit, copy, or delete the selected message.
- Global navigation — Open search and commands, go back, change filters, open chat details, or use a two-key sequence to jump elsewhere.
Single-letter shortcuts are disabled while you type in an editable field, so writing a message will not trigger an action.
Start with the essentials
You only need a few keys to begin:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
J / K | Move to the next / previous chat or message |
Enter | Open the selected chat or reply to the selected message |
E | Archive the selected chat |
U | Mark the selected chat as unread |
L | Place the selected chat in a list |
R | React to the selected message |
P | Pin or unpin the selected message |
Space | Open or play supported content in the selected message |
Esc | Go back or return to the composer |
Use two-key sequences
Sequences group related actions behind a memorable first key. Press the first key, release it, and then press the destination key.
| Sequence | Action |
|---|---|
G, then I | Go to Inbox |
G, then C | Go to Calls |
G, then E | Go to Archived |
C, then C | Create a contact |
C, then G | Create a group |
Open the complete guide
Press Cmd+/ on macOS or Ctrl+/ on Windows to open Volt’s searchable shortcut guide at any time. The guide reflects the shortcuts available in the current version of Volt.
See Default Shortcuts for the complete reference.
Shortcuts that changed
Some older modifier-based shortcuts have moved to simpler, contextual keys. For example, archive is now E, mark as unread is U, and place in list is L while the chat list is focused.
When you use a retired shortcut that has a replacement, Volt points you to the new key. Shortcuts cannot currently be customized.