WhatsApp for Android 2.26.3.80: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the official website, bringing the version up to 2.26.3.80.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that displays recent chat searches, and it's available to some users!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Recent chat searches |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp for Android 2.26.3.80 has been designated as a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some accounts, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | shw_9876, Sc, FastenM, UnluckyTester, kingcyrious, jstgiugiu, flakoflow, and Muhammad Hammad, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.10: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that enables reasoning capabilities for Meta AI! |
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that displays recent chat searches
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.16.8 update, we announced that a recent searches feature for channels and status updates. This functionality adds a new section to the Updates tab that displays the most recent searches. It includes both searched status updates and channels, making it easier for users to quickly revisit previous searches. It's also useful to navigate back to relevant content without repeating the same search process.
Now, it looks like WhatsApp wants to expand the recent search feature to other sections of the app, allowing users to easily access their past searches across more areas. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp for Android 2.26.3.80 update, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that displays recent chat searches.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some users can access a recent searches section directly in the Chats tab. Similar to the one available in the Updates tab, this section provides an overview of recent searches. This means that when users search for a contact or group, WhatsApp stores the search locally in the device and makes it available for later reference. This improvement helps users quickly return to conversations without needing to repeat the same searches.
To check whether the feature that tracks recent searches is available, users can simply perform a search, select a chat or group, and then return to the search screen. If the feature is active, the most recent search will automatically appear in this section. It is important to note that users always retain full control over this functionality. Recent searches can be deleted at any time if users prefer not to keep certain results pinned at the top of the search section.
This feature makes it even easier for users to reach frequently searched contacts, but not only that. WhatsApp also records groups and community group chats in this section. This includes both community announcement groups and their related subgroups. As a result, users can also quickly access frequently searched community spaces. This helps users save time when reopening chats they search frequently.
It's worth noting that these recent searches are not shared between linked devices. These searches are saved only on your device and are not stored on WhatsApp servers. Therefore, WhatsApp cannot see your recent searches since the app doesn't share these results with the server. This approach ensures greater privacy while still offering convenient access to past searches.
The feature that displays recent chat searches is currently being rolled out to all users after a limited testing period with select beta testers over the past few weeks. During that time, WhatsApp gathered feedback and fine-tuned the functionality. Now, the testing phase has moved to the release candidate of the app. This means all users will gradually access and experience the feature over the coming weeks.
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