WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.16.8: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.16.8.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a recent searches feature for channels and status updates, and it's available to some beta testers!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.13.4 update, we announced that a feature to scroll through the list of unread channels was available. This feature introduces a more efficient way for users to navigate between channels with new updates, allowing them to seamlessly jump from one unread channel to the next without having to return to the main channel list. Thanks to this improvement, users can focus on fresh content while channels with no new updates are automatically skipped. This streamlined experience makes it easier for users to stay informed, especially when following multiple channels. It seems that WhatsApp has developed additional tool to better manage not only channels but also status updates, aiming to increase overall user convenience. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.16.8 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a recent searches feature for channels and status updates!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new section dedicated to their five most recent searches within the Updates tab. This section includes searches performed by the user both for channels and for contacts, specifically aimed at viewing their latest status updates. This feature simplifies future searches by giving users quick access to the channels and contacts they have recently looked up. Rather than typing the same queries again, users can revisit their recent searches with a single tap.

When searching for a channel, WhatsApp will also display the number of new posts published in that channel, provided these updates have not yet been viewed by the user. As a result, this feature also helps users quickly identify which channels have fresh content waiting for them. On the other hand, when searching for a contact, WhatsApp will show when that user last posted a status update, making it easier to stay up-to-date with friends and family.

The recent searches feature helps users stay organized by giving visibility to their most relevant and frequently accessed content. In addition, it's important to note that these search records are not shared with WhatsApp servers. Instead, the search history is stored locally on the device. This approach ensures that the confidentiality of these searches is fully preserved, ensuring that search activity remains fully under the user's control. Additionally, the availability of this feature is not limited to beta versions, as users installing stable releases of WhatsApp may also access it. This means that even those using non-beta versions may benefit from the recent searches functionality.

A recent searches feature for channels and status updates 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.

Stay up-to-date on WhatsApp news by following WABetaInfo on X. You can also discover other new features for WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows.

Do you like this news? Please, let us know on X: we love hearing your feedback! If you're curious to see where you can find WABetaInfo, there is a dedicated page where you can discover our services.
In addition, we have set up a Discord Server where you can chat with other people, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest announcements from WABetaInfo.