WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.5: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.4.5.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates from their channels, and it will be available in the future!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Channel Status |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp announces strict account settings for iOS and Android users! |
WhatsApp is working on status updates in channels on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.36.12, we announced a feature that integrates AI-powered Imagine capabilities into status updates. This feature allows users to edit the images they share as status updates using Meta AI. Meta AI offers advanced tools that allow for image editing via a prompt. Users can change the image style by choosing from those suggested by Meta AI. Users can also add, remove, or change certain elements of the image. It's also possible to animate the image to give it a more dynamic feel. With this feature, WhatsApp aims to offer a tool that can both enhance status updates and make them more engaging.
As WhatsApp continues to release the ability to edit status updates using Meta AI, WhatsApp is also working to provide additional tools for channel admins. These features would allow channels to offer functionality similar to that offered by status updates. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.5 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates from their channels.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring implementing a feature that allows channel admins to share status updates. This feature will add a new entry point to channels that allows admins to add a status update to the channel. The process for creating channel status updates will be the same as creating a standard status update. This means channel admins will be able to share images, videos, and voice messages as status updates directly into the channel.
When followers view a status update shared by a channel, the app will send a view flag to the channel. Channel admins will be able to see how many people have viewed the status update, but they won't be able to see who has viewed it. This prevents the app from loading a long list of viewers when a status update is shared from a channel with many followers. Likewise, other followers won't be able to see who else has viewed the channel's status update.
WhatsApp plans to display channel status updates in the Updates tab by tapping the channel icon. This action will present the status update and allow limited interactions, such as reacting with an emoji. Like standard status updates, channel status updates will expire after 24 hours. This means channel admins will be able to share ephemeral content as status updates. As a result, channel admins can use status updates like short, temporary posts to share timely content with their followers that disappears after a day. This functionality will give creators more flexibility to connect with their audience in an ephemeral way.
The feature that allows users to share status updates from their channels is currently under development, and it is planned for release in the future. WhatsApp is currently developing a feature that displays a list of channel status updates. Once this feature is released, channel admins will have a familiar tool for sharing new content with their followers.
Stay Connected with WABetaInfo
Following WABetaInfo on X is the best way to stay informed about new features under development and those released to WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web, and Desktop. We love hearing your feedback, so let us know what you think! You can also explore our dedicated page to discover all our services, or join our Discord Server to chat with others, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest WABetaInfo announcements.