WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.16.10.70: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 26.16.10.70.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets admins share status updates in their channels, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Channel status |
| 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 beta is testing notification bubbles on Android! |
WhatsApp explores status updates for channels
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.5 update, we announced a feature that lets admins share status updates in their channels. A status update shared in a channel is a temporary post that appears inside the channel. It follows the same 24-hour expiration rule as a normal WhatsApp Status. It will allow channel admins to quickly share short-lived updates, announcements, or media with their followers without publishing a channel update. This feature is a way to share timely content that doesn't need to remain visible in the channel permanently.
Ongoing development on both Android and iOS
The ability to share status updates in channels is still under development. WhatsApp is currently refining the experience to make the integration of status updates within channels more intuitive for users. In the meantime, WhatsApp is committed to bringing the same functionality to the iOS app as well. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.16.10.70 update, which is available on the TestFlight app, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets admins share status updates in their channels.
Current limitations and lack of disappearing messages in channels
As you can see from the attached image, WhatsApp is developing a feature that improves the channel experience by introducing status updates. While this feature is under development and set to release in the future, it already promises to make channel communication more dynamic and time-sensitive. At the moment, channel admins can share regular updates within their channels. These updates remain visible for up to 30 days for users who do not follow the channel, and they are available indefinitely for followers. However, there is currently no option to enable disappearing messages specifically within channels. This limitation may discourage some admins from posting more frequent or experimental updates.
How status updates will be created from the channel interface
In a future update, WhatsApp will address this issue by introducing status updates in channels. Channel admins will be able to create status updates directly from the channel interface. Here, WhatsApp will also a new entry point in the navigation bar to create a status update. When users select this entry point, they will be prompted to choose what they want to share as a status update. In the editor screen, they will be able to review which channel the status update will be published to. The interface will also offer the option to switch to a different channel if needed. However, it will only be possible to share a status update in one channel at a time.
Supported content types for status updates in channels
Status updates in channels will support the same range of content already available for regular WhatsApp Status. This includes images, videos, layouts, and voice notes. Music sharing and AI-generated images will also be supported, but only in regions where these features are already available for standard status updates. Additionally, music sharing and AI-powered images might be available later than the initial rollout. As a result, status updates in channels will offer a familiar way for admins to share ephemeral content.
Example of how admins can use status updates in channels
For example, a channel admin could use status updates to share quick announcements about new posts or upcoming events, without adding a permanent update to their channel feed. They could also post behind-the-scenes images or short videos to give followers a more immediate and informal look at their content. Since these updates disappear after 24 hours, admins will be able to keep their content relevant without cluttering the channel's main timeline.
Status updates in channels are under development
The feature that lets admins share status updates in their channels is under development, and it will be available in a future update. WhatsApp is currently working on improving how channel admins can create status updates. Once development is complete, the feature will be rolled out to select beta testers, making it easier for channel admins to share timely content.
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