Creating a poll takes three taps on most phones

Open WhatsApp and go to the chat where you want to create a poll — either a one-on-one conversation or a group. Tap the plus sign or attachment icon (the exact location depends on whether you use iPhone or Android). Select Poll from the menu. Type your question, add between two and twelve answer options, then tap Create. The poll appears in the chat and people can vote when ready.

Polls work the same way in individual chats and groups, but they are most useful in groups where you need input from multiple people at once. The person who created the poll can see all the votes, and other group members can see the results once they vote — though they cannot see who voted for what.

WhatsApp polls are not anonymous to the poll creator. If you create a poll in a group, you will see each person's name next to their vote. Other group members will not see this information, only the vote counts.

Key Takeaways

  • Polls appear in the attachment menu and let you ask a question with two to twelve answer options in a single message.
  • Anyone in the chat can vote, and the results update in real time as people respond.
  • The person who created the poll sees who voted for what, but other group members see only the total votes for each option.
  • You cannot edit a poll after you send it, so check your question and options before you tap Create.
  • Polls expire after seven days, and no one can vote after that time has passed.

Where to find the poll option on your phone

On iPhone, open a chat and tap the plus sign at the bottom left of the keyboard. Scroll through the menu until you see Poll, then tap it. On Android, tap the paperclip icon (attachment) at the bottom right, then select Poll from the list.

If you do not see the poll option, your version of WhatsApp may be outdated. Check your phone's app store — iPhone users go to the App Store, Android users go to Google Play — and update WhatsApp to the latest version. Polls became available in WhatsApp in late 2022, so any version from 2023 onward should have them.

Setting up your question and answer options

After you tap Poll, a screen appears with a text field for your question. Type what you want to ask — for example, "What time should we meet?" or "Which restaurant do you prefer?" Keep the question short and clear so people understand what they are voting on.

Below the question, you will see fields for answer options. Type each option in its own field. You must have at least two options and can have up to twelve. Common uses are scheduling (with times or dates), choosing between restaurants or activities, or yes-or-no questions. Once you have entered all your options, tap Create and the poll posts to the chat.

How voting works and who sees what

When someone receives your poll, they see the question and all the answer options. They tap the option they want to vote for, and their vote registers when ready. The poll shows a running count of votes for each option, updated in real time as people vote.

If you created the poll, you see the names of everyone who voted and which option they chose. This information appears when you tap on the poll results. Other people in the chat see only the vote counts — they cannot see who voted for what. This means the poll is private between you and the people voting, but not anonymous within the group.

Once someone votes, they can change their vote by tapping a different option. The poll updates to reflect the new choice, and the old vote is removed from the count.

Polls expire after seven days

A poll remains open for seven days from the time you create it. After seven days pass, the poll closes automatically and no one can vote anymore. The results stay visible in the chat, but the voting buttons disappear.

If you need to run a new poll on the same topic after seven days, create a fresh poll with the same question and options. There is no way to extend a poll's voting period or reopen one that has closed.

What you cannot do with WhatsApp polls

You cannot edit a poll after you send it. If you notice a typo in your question or realize you left out an important answer option, you have to delete the poll and create a new one. To delete a poll, long-press it in the chat and select Delete. This removes it from the chat for everyone.

You also cannot make a poll truly anonymous. The creator always sees who voted for what. If you need a completely anonymous poll where even you cannot see individual votes, you would need to use a different tool — such as a Google Form or a dedicated poll website — and share the link in WhatsApp instead.

Polls do not work in broadcast lists or channels. They are only available in regular one-on-one chats and group chats.

When polls are most useful

Polls work best for quick decisions in groups where you need input from several people. Scheduling a meeting, choosing a restaurant, picking a movie, or deciding on a group activity are all good uses. Because the results update in real time, you can see what is winning as people vote.

Polls are less useful for sensitive topics or situations where people might feel pressured by seeing others' votes. If you are asking something personal or controversial, consider using a different method or making it clear that people can vote however they want without judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who voted for what in a group poll?

Yes, but only if you created the poll. When you tap on the poll results, you see each person's name next to their vote. Other group members see only the vote totals, not who voted for what.

What happens if I delete a poll?

The poll disappears from the chat for everyone. People cannot vote on it anymore, and the results are gone. If you need to run the poll again, you have to create a new one.

Can someone vote more than once on the same poll?

They can change their vote as many times as they want before the poll closes, but each person counts as one vote. If they tap a different option, their old vote moves to the new option.

Do polls work in broadcast lists?

No. Polls only work in regular chats and groups. Broadcast lists do not support polls.

What if I want a truly anonymous poll?

WhatsApp polls are not anonymous to the creator. If you need complete anonymity, create a poll using Google Forms or another online poll tool and share the link in WhatsApp instead.