WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.5: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.17.5.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a visibility feature for community group chats, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Community group chat visibility |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.5 is marked as a compatible update, but some users may be able to experiment with the same feature by 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 more users over the coming days. |
| Thanks: | Akan and DarkCrystal, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.3: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature to manage the Meta AI voice! |
COMMUNITY GROUP CHAT VISIBILITY
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.10.13 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to hide community group chat. This feature aimed to provide community administrators with the ability to control the visibility of specific group chats, allowing only invited members to find and join them. It appears that WhatsApp is finally testing this community feature with the public, as some beta testers can now experience a new group visibility option. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.5 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a visibility feature for community group chats!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, community admins can now manage the group visibility when creating a new group for their communities. By selecting this option, admins can ensure that specific group chats are not visible to the general community members. In this case, only invited members and community admins can see the hidden group. It is important to note that this option cannot be changed once the group is added to the community to ensure privacy for all group members.
This new feature is expected to enhance the overall management of communities on WhatsApp. Admins can create hidden groups for sensitive topics, exclusive discussions, or for moderators to communicate privately. This added layer of privacy appears important for maintaining the confidentiality of certain discussions. This option also enhances privacy within communities and offers more control and flexibility in community management, enabling the creation of discrete groups for focused discussions without cluttering the overall community structure. Particularly, the ability to hide groups will help in keeping the main community feed uncluttered and organized, as admins can now better structure their communities.
A visibility feature for community group chats is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming days.
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