WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.15.11.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is releasing a feature to allow users to be notified when channels are available, and it’s rolling out to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Channel notification |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.11 is marked as a compatible update, but some beta testers may be able to get the same feature by installing the following updates: 2.23.15.9 and 2.23.15.10. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it’s rolling out to more people over the coming days. |
| Thanks: | FastenM and UnluckyTester, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.10: what’s new? WhatsApp is widely rolling out an official chat where to get tips and tricks! |
CHANNEL NOTIFICATION
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.12.20 update, we explained that WhatsApp announced channels, a new one-way broadcast private tool. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to receive updates from the people you matter more. This feature is currently in the testing phase and it is available only in Singapore and Colombia. However, in the same article, we also explained that WhatsApp was working on a feature to notify when channels are available. Finally, after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.11 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, some beta testers in different countries may be experimenting with this feature!
As you can see in the attached screenshot, some beta testers may be prompted with a new sheet to inform them that channels aren’t available. However, they can finally choose to be notified when the ability to join channels is available for their accounts. This was a very unexpected feature, as WhatsApp has never offered a tool to send notifications to users about the availability of a new feature. This shows their interest in sharing updates regarding the latest news available to users in real-time.
If you would like to discover if the feature is enabled for your WhatsApp account, you need to open a channel invite link. Currently, channels are only available in Singapore and Colombia, so you need to open a channel created in one of those two countries. You may experiment with the channel invite link shared by Noticias Caracol, that’s currently the most popular channel on WhatsApp. You won’t be able to follow this channel since channels are still not available worldwide, but you may at least get the feature that allows you to be notified when they are available for your account.
The feature that allows users to choose to be notified when channels are available is rolling out to some beta testers that install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store, and it will be released to even more people over the coming days.
Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on Twitter where you can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.
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