WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.17.2: what's new?
WhatsApp is working on a feature that will introduce channels in the chat list in the future. This update will allow users to access channels directly from the Chats tab through a dedicated filter, making it easier to switch between their personal conversations and channel updates.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Channels in the Chats tab |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development, and it is not available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out status updates at the top of the chat list! |
Status updates now appear directly in the Chats tab for some beta testers
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.17.1 update, we announced a feature that displays status updates at the top of the Chats tab. With this functionality, WhatsApp places status updates in the top app bar. By scrolling down the interface, users can see the entire status tray that lets them navigate through the full list of updates shared by their contacts. This means that some users can now see status updates in the chat list without opening the Updates tab.
Status and channels experiments continue to evolve in WhatsApp beta
Status updates at the top of the Chats tab seem to be more of an experiment than a final rollout for all users. WhatsApp is currently testing this feature with a limited group of users as a controlled test, so it may even be removed depending on feedback before any wider release. At the same time, WhatsApp continues to explore new ideas through ongoing experiments by developing additional features. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.17.2 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that brings channels into a dedicated list in the Chats tab.
Users can view WhatsApp Channels in the Updates tab
As you can see from the attached image, WhatsApp is exploring a feature that will let users see a list of channels they follow directly in the Chats tab. Although this feature is currently under development, it will bring added convenience to the user experience once it becomes available. At the moment, users can view status updates and channels within the Updates tab. From there, users can easily access the channels they already follow and view their updates. They can also explore and search for new channels across different categories. As a result, the Updates tab is currently the dedicated place where WhatsApp organizes both status updates and channels together.
WhatsApp to test channels in the Chats tab in the future
In a future update, WhatsApp will start experimenting with a feature that moves channels directly into the Chats tab. WhatsApp will add a dedicated filter for channels, making it easier for users to quickly switch to a separate view focused only on channel updates. When users select this filter, they will see a list of the channels they follow. Note that users will need to actively choose the channels list to view them. This means channels will not appear in the main "All" chat list. So WhatsApp will still keep chats and groups separate from channels. A separate list will let WhatsApp integrate channels into the Chats tab without disrupting the default messaging interface.
The Updates tab could focus only on status updates
Since WhatsApp plans to move channels into the Chats tab, the Updates tab will be dedicated only to status updates. This means channels will no longer be available within the Updates tab once the change is implemented. As a result, the section will return to its original purpose by focusing exclusively on status updates. Consequently, WhatsApp will restore the previous name of the tab, bringing it back to "Status".
WhatsApp may introduce a new tab if channels and status updates are reorganized in the Chats tab
As with status updates shown at the top of the chat list, this feature also appears to be part of an experiment. This means that nothing is confirmed for an official and global rollout at this stage. WhatsApp will likely use this testing phase to understand how users respond to the idea of bringing channels into the Chats tab. Based on feedback, the feature could be refined or even removed before any wider release. If the plans to move both status updates and channels into the Chats tab are eventually confirmed, it could open the door to the introduction of a new tab dedicated to other features. However, this remains purely speculative for now, as there are no official details about such changes yet.
The feature to bring channels to the Chats tab is under development
The feature that brings channels into a dedicated list in the Chats tab is under development, and it will be available in a future update. WhatsApp is currently working on how the app can filter channels in the chat list. Once testing and the necessary evaluations are complete, WhatsApp will roll out this feature to select beta testers, making it simpler to access and manage the channels users follow directly from the Chats tab.
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