WhatsApp just revealed channels, a new feature under development that allows users to receive important updates from people and organizations in a private and reliable manner. This feature is in development and it will be released in a future update of WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, and Desktop.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Changelog about? | Channels |
| Status? | Rolling out in Singapore and Colombia |
| Availability? | Channels are available for some users in Singapore and Colombia, but WhatsApp is also working on bringing this feature to a future update of the app for everyone. |
| I have the same version but I don’t have this feature, why? | This feature is available to some users and it will be released to everyone in the future. In the mean time, you can discover further details in this article. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp for iOS 23.11.76: what’s new? WhatsApp is widely rolling out a feature to mention groups within the community announcement group! |
CHANNELS
After our first announcement in the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.6 update, WhatsApp just revealed a new feature in a recent blog post : channels. With channels, WhatsApp is developing a reliable and private way to receive important updates from individuals and organizations you matter. The same announcement was also shared by Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook, revealing that they are starting to release channels in Singapore and Colombia. Channels are accessible through a dedicated tab called Updates, separate from regular chats, allowing unlimited users to follow their preferred channels conveniently. We previously announced this feature in the article about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.11.0.70 update.
Thanks to the official blog post, we discovered that channel admins can share a variety of content such as text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls with their followers. This feature will prove valuable for a range of purposes, from sharing updates on hobbies and sports teams to receiving news from local officials and much more. With the upcoming searchable directory, announced in our article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.12.4 update, WhatsApp is making it easier for users to find and follow channels that align with their interests.
As an admin, WhatsApp confirms that your phone number and profile photo remain hidden from followers, ensuring that your personal information is always protected. Similarly, followers’ phone numbers will not be revealed to admins or other followers. In addition, the choice of whom to follow is entirely private, providing users with complete control over their participation. For this reason, channels are marked as private tools for broadcasting information.
WhatsApp believes channel updates should not have to stick around forever. For this reason, they plan to store channel history on their servers for up to 30 days, and they are developing new tools to make updates disappear even faster from devices. It is also worth noting that admins will have an optional feature to block screenshots and forwards from their channels.
Admins will also have the choice to make their channel discoverable in the directory or keep it hidden. While channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default, WhatsApp is exploring the possibility of introducing limited audience end-to-end encrypted channels in the future, particularly for organizations like non-profits or health institutions.
WhatsApp is announcing channels, a new feature that will be available to everyone in a future update of WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, and Desktop. WhatsApp plans to initially roll out Channels in Colombia and Singapore with some partners and select organizations to refine the user experience. As always, we will keep you up to date when there is new information to share with you.
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