WhatsApp has just submitted a new update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 23.14.1.77. The version marked within WhatsApp Settings is 2.23.14.77 and the TestFlight build is 23.14.1 (494707900).
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is widely rolling out a feature to allow users to be notified when channels are available!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Channel notification |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Availability? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.14.1.77 is marked as a compatible update, but this seems a wider release so a lot of users may be able to get the same feature by installing certain previous updates. |
| I have the same version but I don’t have this feature, why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more people over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | FastenM, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp news of the week: phone number privacy feature and animated avatar pack! |
838 days, 18 hours, 43 minutes and 26 seconds ago
Check out TestFlight or Twitter to discover when it's available.
CHANNEL NOTIFICATION
In our previous article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.12.20 update, we highlighted the introduction of channels, a new one-way broadcast private tool announced by WhatsApp. This feature allows users to receive updates from organizations who are important to them, and it’s currently available in Singapore and Colombia. With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.11 update, some beta testers could experiment with a feature that sends a notification when channels are available for their accounts. After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.14.1.77 update from the TestFlight app, the same feature is now available to some beta testers on the iOS app!
The attached screenshot is proof that some beta testers may experiment with a new prompt informing them that channels are not yet available. However, they are given the option to receive a notification when the ability to join channels becomes available for their accounts. We think that the development of this feature was very unexpected, as WhatsApp has not previously provided a tool for notifying users about the availability of certain new features. In our opinion, this demonstrates their commitment to delivering real-time updates about the latest developments to their users.
To check if the channels feature is enabled for your WhatsApp account, you can try opening a channel invite link. Keep in mind that channels are currently restricted to Singapore and Colombia, so you will need to access a channel created in those countries. As we recommend in our article about the Android version, one option is to experiment with the channel invite link shared by Noticias Caracol, which is currently the most popular channel on WhatsApp. Although you won’t be able to follow this channel as it is not yet available worldwide, you may have the opportunity to enable the notification feature that will inform you when channels become accessible for your account.
The channel notification feature is rolling out to some beta testers that install the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS update from the TestFlight app, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming days. Note that this seems a wider release, so a lot of users may also be able to experiment with the same feature by installing certain previous updates, even the official version from the App Store.
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