WhatsApp's built-in formatting
Before pasting special characters, know that WhatsApp already formats messages with plain symbols:
*text*gives bold_text_gives italic~text~gives strikethrough```text```gives monospace
Always prefer this in a conversation: readable, searchable, and correct on every phone.
When Unicode characters are worth it
Three places where native formatting does not exist: your profile name, your About text and group names. That is where the styles above earn their place.
Watch out for older phones
WhatsApp is heavily used on older and entry-level devices with incomplete system fonts. A gothic group name can appear as empty boxes for half the members. Small caps and bold are the safe choices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write in bold on WhatsApp?
Wrap the word in asterisks: *hello* becomes bold. It is native — no tool required for a message.
Can I change my WhatsApp name font?
Yes, by pasting Unicode styled text into the Name field. Keep it readable — that is how your contacts recognise you.
Why do my contacts see empty boxes?
Their phone lacks those characters. Pick a more common style such as bold or small caps.