Messengers have long ceased to be just a means for short text notifications, having turned into full-fledged tools for business and personal communication. Users Androidsmartphones are often faced with the need to highlight important information in correspondence so that it does not get lost in the flow of messages. The question of how to make strikethrough text in WhatsApp becomes especially relevant when you need to show the cancellation of an offer or correct a typo without deleting the entire message.
The text formatting function in WhatsApp is implemented through special marker characters that frame the desired phrase. This solution allows you to maintain compatibility between different platforms, be it iOS, web version or desktop application. However, the mobile operating system Android has its own nuances of entering these characters, which should be taken into account to quickly compose a message.
In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanism of how hidden formatting commands work. You will learn which characters need to be used, where to find them on the virtual keyboard and how to avoid common mistakes due to which the text remains normal, without stylization.
The principle of formatting in the messenger
The message styling system in WhatsApp is based on the use of paired characters that act as opening and closing tags. When you enter a special character before a word and the same character after it, the messenger algorithm recognizes this design and applies the appropriate visual style when sending. Strikethrough text is one of four available design options along with bold, italic and monospace font.
The symbol is used to activate the strikethrough effect tildes. This is a wavy line that on standard keyboards Android is often hidden in additional character menus. Unlike bold font, which is highlighted with asterisks, or italics with underscores, the tilde is less common in everyday printing, so users may have difficulty finding it.
Important to understandthat characters should appear close to the text. If you put a space between the tilde and the first letter of a word, the formatting will not work and the recipient will see regular punctuation along with your message. The system requires strict adherence to the syntax for the correct interpretation of the command.
Step-by-step guide for Android devices
The process of creating a strikethrough message on a smartphone with an operating system Android is intuitive, but requires care when typing characters. First, open the desired chat and start typing a message. When you reach a word or phrase you want to cross out, stop and switch your keyboard to character mode.
Locate the tilde (~) symbol. On a standard keyboard Gboard or Samsung Keyboard it is usually found in the second symbols tab, labeled as 1/2 or =\<. Click on the tilde symbol, then immediately enter the desired text without spaces, and again add a tilde at the end. After that, send a message to see the result.
☑️ Algorithm for striking out text
If you use third-party keyboards, the arrangement of characters may differ. In some cases, the tilde can be called by long pressing a key with other punctuation marks. The main rule remains the same: the framing character must be one with the text, without breaks by spaces on both sides.
Where to find the tilde symbol on the keyboard
Finding the right symbol often becomes a stumbling block for new users. On most pre-installed keyboards, the tilde character ( Android tilde character (~) is hidden behind the button for switching between numeric and symbolic layouts. This is usually a button labeled ?123 in the lower left corner of the screen.
After entering Symbols mode, you may need to press another jump button, often labeled =\< or a right arrow, to see additional symbols. It is on this page, among the brackets and mathematical operators, that the wavy line we need is located. On some layouts, it may be on the same key as the letter "e" or the number sign, accessible by long pressing.
If you often use formatting, add the tilde character to the quick access panel of your keyboard, if such a function is supported, so as not to search for it every time in the depths of the menu.
For smartphone owners Xiaomi, Samsung or Google Pixel the path to the symbol may vary slightly depending on the shell version and keyboard updates. However, the placement logic remains general: the main characters are on the first screen, additional ones are on the second level of nesting of the character layout.
Other types of message formatting
In addition to strikethrough text, WhatsApp offers three more ways to change the appearance of the message, which allows you to create structured and expressive messages. Bold font is used to emphasize key ideas, italic font is used to highlight quotes or ironic remarks, and monospace font is used to display code or preserve original text formatting.
Each style has its own unique marker. Bold text is created using asterisks (*), italics is created using underline (_), and monospace font is activated by three backticks (`). These characters must also fit tightly to the text, otherwise they will appear as a normal printed character.
⚠️ Attention: Do not unnecessarily mix different types of markers within the same word. While it is technically possible to overlay styles (such as bold italics), this can make messages difficult to read and may result in display errors on older versions of the app.
Using different styles can help make conversations more lively and clear. For example, you can cross out a canceled meeting and immediately write a new time in bold. This combination makes the information as clear as possible for the interlocutor without the need to write long explanations.
Comparative table of formatting symbols
For the convenience of remembering all available styling options, we have prepared a summary table. It indicates the necessary symbols, examples of their use and the final result that your interlocutor will see after sending the message.
| Text style | Marker symbol | Input example | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bold | * (asterisk) |
Hello |
Hello |
| Italic | _ (underline) |
_Hello_ |
Hello |
| Strikethrough | ~ (tilde) |
~Hello~ |
|
| Monospace | ` (backtick) |
`Hello' |
Hello |
Please note that for a monospace font you need to use exactly three backticks on each side. This font is often used by programmers or when you need to show the exact spelling of a command, as it preserves all whitespace and indentation as is.
Common errors and ways to solve them
The most common reason why text is not crossed out is the presence of spaces between the marker and the word. Users often put a space after a punctuation mark out of habit, but in the case of formatting WhatsApp this leads to the fact that the tilde is perceived as a regular character and not as a command.
Another error involves using the wrong character. Sometimes users confuse the tilde (~) with macrons or other wavy lines of special characters. Make sure you use the standard tilde, which is located on the number and symbol key.
⚠️ Warning: If you copied text with strikethroughs from another source (for example, from a website or another application), pasting may not work. Symbols can be replaced with Unicode characters that are similar but not recognized by the messenger. It's better to type the tokens manually.
It's also worth remembering that the message preview in the input field may not display the formatting. You will only see the tilde characters themselves. The style will only be applied after you click the send button and the message appears in the chat feed.
Why does the tilde look different on some phones?
On different devices and in different fonts, the style of the tilde symbol may vary slightly. However, the character code remains the same, so WhatsApp processes it correctly regardless of the visual display on your keyboard.
Additional options for designing chats
In addition to changing the style of letters, you can use lists to structure information. Although WhatsApp has no dedicated button for creating bulleted lists, you can simulate them by using hyphens or asterisks at the beginning of a line followed by a space. This helps make long messages more readable.
To create a numbered list, simply put a number, a period, and a space at the beginning of the line. The messenger will automatically recognize this structure and align the text accordingly. Combining lists with bold or strikethrough allows you to create full-fledged notes directly in correspondence.
Don't forget that formatting options work in all types of chats: personal, group and even statuses. This makes the tool universal for any communication scenarios. Experiment with combinations to find your unique style of correspondence.
The main secret of successful formatting is the absence of spaces between the special character and the text. The tilde should “stick” to the letters on both sides.
⚠️ Attention: The application interface and key layout may change after updates to WhatsApp or the Android operating system. If you can't find the symbol, check the current help in your keyboard settings.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Can you strike out just part of a word?
Yes, you can apply formatting to any part of a word or sentence. The main thing is that the opening and closing tilde are inside the word or frame the desired group of characters without spaces. For example, the input Hello~ will be displayed as "When~~vet~~" (only part is visually crossed out).
Why do I see tildes instead of the strikethrough text?
This means that the condition for the characters to fit tightly together is not met. Check for a space between the tilde and the first letter, and between the last letter and the closing tilde. Also make sure that you use a paired number of characters.
Does strikethrough text work in WhatsApp Web?
Yes, the principle of operation is identical to the mobile version. You can use the tilde symbol on your computer keyboard (usually found to the left of the number 1 under the Esc key) to format messages in the web or desktop application.
Is it possible to make text bold and strikethrough at the same time?
Technically, this is possible if you nest some bullets inside others. For example, ~text~ you should make the text bold and strikethrough. However, support for nested formatting may vary between devices and application versions, so the result is not always guaranteed.
Where else is the tilde symbol used?
Besides WhatsApp, the tilde is used in programming, mathematics and other instant messengers (Telegram, Discord) to indicate various commands or statuses. In the context of Android, it is often used to access the home directory in the terminal.