WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.19.4: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.19.4.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to clean up storage in their channels, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Clean up storage in channels |
| 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 working on greeting messages for group chats! |
WhatsApp introduces more precise control over media storage in chats and groups
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.34.5 update, we announced a feature to delete specific media categories. This feature allows users to control exactly what types of content they want to remove from their chats. They can choose photos, videos, documents, audio files, stickers, and GIFs. This option gives a more flexible way to manage storage instead of deleting everything at once. Users can also preview how much space will be freed before confirming the action. This ensures that important updates and media are not lost and keeps chat storage organized.
WhatsApp to expand storage management tools to Channels
This tool helps users optimize the storage space on their devices by removing unnecessary media from their conversations. Now, it seems that WhatsApp is considering extending this functionality to Channels as well. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.19.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to clean up storage in their channels.
WhatsApp channel storage management still relies on manual selection
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is testing a feature designed to help users clean up storage in specific channels. This feature is currently under development and scheduled for release in a future update. However, it already promises to give users more precise control over media shared in channels. At the moment, users can manage storage for their channels through the app settings. In this section, they can view a full overview of the media files shared within specific channels. However, users cannot automatically select specific media items. This means users must manually select every item within a given media category manually.
WhatsApp develops smarter cleanup options for channel media
In a future update, WhatsApp will address this issue by introducing a new option in the channel info screen. Similar to the option to clear storage in chats and groups, this feature will let users manage and remove media within specific channels. Users will be able to filter content by type, such as images, videos, or documents, before deleting them. This will make it easier to free up space without scrolling through all shared items manually. WhatsApp will also preserve starred updates if the user chooses to keep them.
WhatsApp Channels gradually increase storage without user awareness
Once a user follows a WhatsApp channel, all media files shared in that channel is stored on their device. Over time, this can accumulate significantly if the channel is frequently active. If a user has been following a particular channel for a year, they may end up with a full year's worth of images and videos saved on their phone. It can take up a considerable amount of storage space, and users do not always notice it. As a result, it becomes the user's responsibility to regularly review and clean up the saved media. Without periodic maintenance, channel content can gradually contribute to storage issues on the device.
Selective media cleanup will help users manage storage in channels
For example, users may choose to delete all videos shared by a channel while keeping the images. Videos usually take up more space than other media types. So removing videos can have a greater impact on available storage. At the same time, preserving images allows users to keep them while reducing storage usage.
The feature to clean up storage in WhatsApp Channels is under development
The feature that allows users to clean up storage in their channels is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp is refining how the app can automatically delete selected media categories within channels. Once testing is complete, this feature will be gradually introduced to users, making it easier to clean up channel storage.
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