WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.17.10.70: what's new?
WhatsApp has just submitted a new update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 24.17.10.70.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a visibility feature for community group chats, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Community group chat visibility |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.17.10.70 is a compatible update. |
| I have the same version but I don't have this feature, why? | This feature is available to some users and it's rolling out to more people over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Michael, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp for iOS 24.16.79: what's new? WhatsApp is widely rolling out a favorite chats and groups feature to everyone! |
COMMUNITY GROUP CHAT VISIBILITY
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.5 update, we announced that WhatsApp is rolling out an option to make community group chats hidden. This feature allows community administrators to control the visibility of specific group chats within their communities, allowing them to create groups that are only accessible to invited members and other community admins. It appears that WhatsApp now intends to offer iOS users the same opportunity to experiment with hidden groups, as it already does for the Android version. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.17.10.70 update, which is available on TestFlight, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a visibility feature for community group chats!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a feature to create hidden groups for communities. When a group is hidden, only invited members and community admins can see it, making it an ideal option for discussions that require privacy or confidentiality. It is important to note that this setting can't be changed once the group is added to the community, ensuring that member privacy is always preserved. In fact, there would be a risk of sensitive information becoming visible to unintended members if this option could be changed after the group is added to the community. As a result, WhatsApp has implemented this irreversible setting to safeguard the integrity of private discussions.
In our opinion, hidden groups offer significant advantages for community management on WhatsApp. They allow admins to create dedicated spaces for sensitive or confidential discussions without exposing them to the entire community. For example, these groups can be used for planning private events, discussing strategic decisions for the community, or managing internal matters that should not be accessible to all community members. In addition, hidden community group chats can be valuable for moderators to coordinate their actions privately, ensuring effective community management without disrupting the public space.
A visibility feature for community group chats is available to some beta testers who install the latest versions of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app, and it's rolling out to more people over the coming weeks.
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