WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.9.10.74: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 26.9.10.74.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows how many times any channel update has been forwarded, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Insights for any forwarded channel update |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.9.10.74 has been designated as a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Akan, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.10.3: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows how many times any channel update has been forwarded! |
WhatsApp is rolling out insights for any forwarded channel update on iOS
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.4.10.71 update, we announced a functionality to get insights about forwarded channel updates. This feature makes it easier for channel admins to measure the engagement of their channel updates. Channel admins can see how many times their channel updates have been forwarded. This information allows channel admins to better understand how widely their updates are being shared beyond the channel.
Now, WhatsApp is launching an enhanced version of this feature. Specifically, WhatsApp is now making this information visible to everyone. This expansion allows all followers to see how many times a channel update has been shared. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.9.10.74 update, which is available on the TestFlight app, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows how many times any channel update has been forwarded.
As you can see from the attached image, some beta testers can explore a feature that lets them see the forward count of any channel update. As mentioned above, this feature was previously limited to admins only. It allows channel admins to understand which channel updates were shared the most. This metric helps them create more content similar to those popular updates, as they can focus on what resonates with their audience and spreads widely.
However, WhatsApp is now making this private insight automatically visible to everyone. This means that everyone can see how many times a channel update has been forwarded, even when they aren't the creator. Users may gauge the popularity of updates before deciding to engage with them. It also makes it easier to spot trending updates within a channel. As a result, forward counts are no longer a tool exclusive to admins since this information now provides useful context for all followers.
In the previous updates, channel followers relied on the number of reactions a channel update received to understand its engagement. However, reactions only show direct responses, and they do not indicate how widely an update is being shared. With the new forward count feature, channel followers can now see which updates are spreading beyond the channel, giving a clearer overview of overall engagement. It is worth noting that the same feature is also available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.10.3 update from the Google Play Store. This suggests that WhatsApp is gradually rolling out the feature to a wider audience, testing its stability and gathering feedback before making it available to all users.
The feature that shows how many times any channel update has been forwarded is available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS update from TestFlight. This gradual rollout allows WhatsApp to monitor performance before the official release. As often happens, some users who install the latest version from the App Store may also explore the same feature. Expanding availability for different groups of users allows WhatsApp to get feedback from a larger audience.
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