WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.9.17.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is releasing a community navigation feature, and it is available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Community navigation |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.9.17 is marked as a compatible update, but some users may be able to get the same feature after installing certain previous updates. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to even more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Sc, yahya_dinar, GoldenPizza, and TestingApp199, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.9.16: what’s new? WhatsApp is releasing a reply with a message feature within call notifications! |
COMMUNITY NAVIGATION
After releasing the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.9.16 update, that brings a reply with a message feature for call notifications, WhatsApp is now rolling out another new feature. In particular, WhatsApp is introducing an improved organization system for Communities. With this update, users can expand the community cell to see all of its sub-groups within the chat list. This new feature allows users to get an easier navigation and improved experience within the Chats tab, and it is available to some beta testers:
As you can see in this screenshot, communities may be listed in a different way within the chat list for some users. The new organization system is an essential addition to Communities as it provides users with a better way to navigate their groups. Thanks to this update, sub-groups of a community are now grouped together in one place within the chat list, making it simple to find the specific group they are looking for.
In our opinion, this update was needed because there may be multiple groups with the same name, but they may belong to different communities. Before the update, it was difficult for users to distinguish between these groups, as they were not grouped together under the same community within the chat list, especially when they did not have a group icon. This could lead to confusion and make it difficult for users to find and access the group they were looking for. With the new update, all sub-groups are now listed under their respective communities even within the chat list, which makes it easier for users to identify and access the right group.
Note that there is a similar feature that helps users better navigate through the list of sub-groups of a certain community right within the conversation header. However, this feature is available for certain beta testers.
The community navigation feature is available for some beta testers that install the latest update of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming days.
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