Join-In Pro provides dedicated controls for navigating WhatsApp, reading and sending messages, working with media, managing chats, and making audio and video calls.
The controls you see may vary depending on:
- Toolbar type – Full, Lite, or Basic
- Stage – which features are currently available
- Where you are in WhatsApp – the toolbar changes to provide controls relevant to what you are currently doing
This guide describes the main WhatsApp controls. Some controls described here may not be available with your current toolbar or Stage.
Understanding Chats and Messages
WhatsApp has two main areas:
Chats – your list of conversations with people and groups.
Messages – the messages within the conversation you are currently viewing.
Join-In Pro provides controls for navigating and interacting with both areas.
Browsing Chats
Use the chat controls to move through your conversations and choose the chat you want to open.
Depending on your toolbar and Stage, controls may include:
- Next Chat / Previous Chat – move through the chat list.
- Scroll Chats – move further up or down the list.
- Open Chat – open the selected conversation.
- Search Chats – search for a person, group, or conversation.
- New Chat – start a conversation with a contact.
The selected chat is highlighted on the WhatsApp screen so you can see which conversation the toolbar controls will act on.
Navigating Messages
After opening a chat, the available controls help you move through and interact with the messages in that conversation.
Depending on your toolbar and Stage, controls may include:
- Next Message / Previous Message – move between individual messages.
- Scroll Messages – move further up or down through the conversation.
- Last Message – return to the most recent message.
- Read Message – read the selected message aloud.
- Reply – reply directly to the selected message.
- Forward – send the selected message to another person or group.
- Delete – delete a message where this option is available.
- Star – save an important message so it is easier to find again.
- Message Info – view additional information about a message where available.
The selected message is highlighted on the screen. Actions such as Read, Reply, Forward, or Delete apply to the selected message.
Sending a Message
Select the message field or use the relevant toolbar control to begin composing a message.
Depending on your Join-In Pro setup, there are several ways to create and send messages.
Type a Message
Open a Join-In Pro keyboard and type your message.
The keyboard provides access to writing and editing functions without requiring you to use the standard WhatsApp keyboard.
Use AAC to Write
If Join-In Pro is integrated with an AAC system such as Grid 3 or TD Snap, you can compose your message using your AAC system and send the resulting text to WhatsApp.
The exact workflow depends on the AAC integration mode selected in Join-In Pro Settings.
Use a Saved Message
Use Favorites or other saved communication supports to quickly access messages you use frequently.
This can be useful for greetings, common responses, personal information, or messages that are difficult or time-consuming to compose each time.
Add Emojis
Use the emoji controls to browse and select emojis to add to your message.
Send a GIF
Use the GIF controls to search or browse WhatsApp GIFs and add one to your conversation.
Send an Audio Message
Use the audio message controls to record and send an audio message.
Join-In Pro provides controls for managing the recording so that users do not need to perform the standard WhatsApp press-and-hold gesture.
Sending Photos, Files and Other Content
Use the attachment controls to access content that can be shared through WhatsApp.
Depending on the available WhatsApp options, your toolbar and Stage, you may be able to:
- send a photo or video
- attach a file or document
- share a contact
- access other available WhatsApp attachment options
Some actions may open a Windows or WhatsApp dialog. The available Join-In Pro controls may change to help you complete the action.
Opening Photos, Videos, Links and Files
WhatsApp messages can contain photos, videos, documents, links, and other interactive content.
Select the message containing the content and use the relevant Open or interaction control.
Depending on the type of content and the controls available, you may be able to:
- open a photo
- play a video
- open a link
- download or open a file
- open content in another supported service
Viewing Photos and Videos
When you open a photo or video, the available toolbar controls change to support interaction with that content.
For videos, controls may include:
- Play / Pause
- Forward / Back
- Volume
- Full Screen
You can also return to the conversation when you have finished viewing the content.
Some media controls only apply to particular types of content. For example, video playback controls will not be relevant when viewing a photo.
Audio and Video Calls
Join-In Pro provides controls for making and participating in WhatsApp audio and video calls.
From the appropriate chat, you may be able to start an:
- Audio Call
- Video Call
During a call, the toolbar changes to provide relevant call controls.
Depending on the call and the controls available in your toolbar and Stage, these may include:
- turning the microphone on or off
- turning the camera on or off
- managing the call
- ending the call
This allows users to manage WhatsApp calls using their usual Join-In Pro access method rather than relying on the small controls in the standard WhatsApp interface.
Searching WhatsApp
Join-In Pro provides search controls to help you find conversations or content without navigating through long lists.
Different search options may be available depending on where you are in WhatsApp.
For example:
Search Chats – search across your conversations.
Search in Chat – search for text within the conversation you currently have open.
When text entry is required, you can use the text-entry method configured for your Join-In Pro setup.
Managing Chats
Additional controls are available for managing conversations.
Depending on your toolbar, Stage, and the selected chat, these may include:
- Pin / Unpin Chat
- Mute Notifications
- Archive Chat
- Delete Chat
- Exit Group
- Search in Chat
Some of these functions may be located on additional toolbar pages rather than on the main WhatsApp toolbar.
Starred Messages
Important messages can be starred so you can return to them later.
Select a message and choose Star.
Use Starred Messages to browse messages you have previously saved in this way.
This can be useful for information you may need again, such as an address, appointment information, instructions, or an important message from someone.
Reading Messages Aloud
Join-In Pro can read text from WhatsApp aloud.
Select the message you want to hear and use Read Message or the relevant Read Aloud control.
This can support users who have difficulty reading text independently, as well as users who want to share a received message with someone nearby.
Full, Lite and Basic Toolbars
The way WhatsApp is controlled depends in part on the toolbar selected in Join-In Pro.
Full provides access to a wide range of WhatsApp controls on screen at the same time. This allows quicker access to functions with less navigation between toolbar pages.
Lite provides access to almost all the same WhatsApp functions as Full, but with larger buttons and fewer controls on each toolbar page.
It is designed for users who benefit from larger targets for visual or motor accessibility. Because fewer controls are shown at once, some additional navigation between toolbar pages is required.
Basic provides a smaller set of essential actions for users who benefit from a simpler, more focused way to use WhatsApp.
Stages
The Stage selected in Join-In Pro also affects which WhatsApp functions are available.
Stages allow users to begin with a smaller set of actions and gradually add more functions as appropriate. Two people using the same toolbar type may therefore see different WhatsApp controls if they are using different Stages.
Toolbar type and Stage work together: the toolbar affects how controls are presented and organized, while the Stage affects which functions are available.
For a broader explanation of Full, Lite and Basic toolbars and Stages, see Understanding Join-In Pro Toolbars.
Dynamic Controls
Join-In Pro toolbars also change according to what you are doing in WhatsApp.
For example, the controls needed while browsing chats are different from those needed while viewing a video or participating in a call. Join-In Pro provides relevant controls as you move between these activities.
This means that you will not necessarily see every WhatsApp control at the same time.
Select, Then Act
Many WhatsApp actions work on the chat, message, or other item that is currently selected.
A useful pattern is:
- Navigate to the item you want.
- Select or highlight it.
- Choose the action you want to perform.
For example, to reply to a particular message, first navigate to that message and then choose Reply. To manage a conversation, navigate to the chat and then choose the appropriate chat action.
Watching the selection highlight is particularly useful when navigating WhatsApp with switches, eye gaze, or other alternative access methods.
Controls May Change
WhatsApp regularly changes its interface and available functions. Join-In Pro is designed to provide accessible controls for supported WhatsApp functions and may be updated as WhatsApp changes.
You may therefore see small differences between the controls shown in tutorials and those available in the current version of Join-In Pro.
