WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.17.7: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.17.7.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to mark channel updates as starred, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Starred channel updates |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.17.7 has been designated as a compatible update, but some users may get the same feature by installing the previous update. |
| 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: | ShuhaibNC, FastenM, IsaacAndHisIsaac, Muhammad Hammad, and flakoflow, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp news of the week: private summarization messages update is under development for iOS! |
STARRED CHANNEL UPDATES
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.26.18 update, we announced that a feature to mark channel updates as starred was under development. This enhancement aims to improve content management within channels by allowing users to save specific updates for easy reference later. Users will be able to quickly retrieve important updates without scrolling through entire channel histories, thanks to a dedicated section for starred updates. It appears that WhatsApp is now testing this feature with the public, as they have reported seeing the new option to save channel updates. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.17.7 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to mark channel updates as starred!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new way to organize their favorite channel updates. Specifically, it is now possible to set channel updates as important by using the new starring feature. To do this, users can simply press the star icon located in the top app bar, which becomes visible after selecting a channel update. This intuitive action immediately saves the chosen update to a dedicated section, ensuring it remains accessible for future reference.
The saved updates will be organized in a dedicated list, available through the channel info screen. From there, a section to view all starred updates from that specific channel is available, offering a convenient way to revisit saved content. This design allows users to keep track of valuable posts such as announcements, event details, or other relevant information shared through channels. In addition to the channel info screen, WhatsApp is also providing a broader overview of starred content through a global starred updates list via the overflow menu located within the Updates tab. This central hub will display all channel updates marked as important across different channels, making it easier for users to retrieve updates at a glance.
The ability to star channel updates significantly enhances usability, as it eliminates the need to scroll through long lists of posts to find something important. In addition, this feature is designed to maintain relevance, as users must be following a channel in order to star its updates. If a user decides to unfollow a channel, all previously starred updates from that channel will automatically be removed from the starred list. This ensures that saved content always reflects the user's current interests.
A feature to mark channel updates as starred 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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