The secret WhatsApp trick everyone needs to know – how to change the font on your messages

WhatsApp fans can now add a new look to their messages.

The world's most popular messaging service has quietly rolled out a new font that can be easily applied to all your conversations.

The new font, imagintively named FixedSys, can be added by typing a secret character before and after your message.

HERE'S HOW TO DO IT.

Open WhatsApp and open a new or existing message thread.

Then, before you type your message simply add the characters ``` before and after your conversation.

For example ```Hi how are you today?```

Once the message has been sent, the secret characters disappear leaving your message with its new look.

This isn't the first time WhatsApp has included a way of making your messages look a little more exciting.

WhatsApp now includes some nifty new formatting options which allows users to add bold, italics and strikethrough in their text messages.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS

• BOLD: Add an asterisk (*) before and after the specific words or phrases you want to embolden e.g. *hello*

• ITALICS Add an underscore (_) before and after your chosen words or phrases e.g. _hello_

• STRIKETHROUGH Add a tilde (~) before and after the words or phrases you want to strike a line through e.g. ~hello~

Before you get too excited about sending a message with a fancy new font it doesn't work on the iPhone.

The Apple keyboard doesn't include the character needed to change the font so only Android smartphone users have this option.

However, the font change does work on the desktop and web version of the app.

The Facebook-owned firm recently announced that users can now download an official Windows and Mac app to their desktop PC or laptop.

The app mirrors the conversations and messages on your phone and is available to everyone with a computer running Windows 8+ and Mac OS 10.9+.

Confirming the news on their blog WhatsApp said: "Today we're introducing a desktop app so you have a new way to stay in touch anytime and anywhere - whether on your phone or computer at home or work."