WhatsApp is testing a feature to pin channel updates on iOS
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will let channel admins pin a specific update at the top of the interface. The pinned update lasts up to 30 days before WhatsApp removes it automatically. Followers will be able to find it at any time, regardless of how many new updates the admin shared after it.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Pinned updates for channels |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development on iOS, and it is not available for beta testing yet. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out notifications for pinned messages! |
WhatsApp allows users to pin messages in chats and groups
WhatsApp allows users to pin messages in individual chats and group conversations. Users can tap and hold any message, select the pin option from the context menu, and the message remains visible at the top of the conversation for everyone. Users can choose to pin the message for 24 hours, 1 week, or 30 days. In group chats, admins can decide whether all members or only admins can pin messages. Instead, both participants can pin messages in individual chats. This makes it easy to keep important information visible without scrolling back through the conversation to find it.
WhatsApp is now testing a feature to pin individual channel updates
WhatsApp is now working on bringing the same feature to channels. With this feature, channel admins can pin a specific update in their channels. Followers can always find it at the top of the channel, regardless of how many new updates appear after it. It is useful for those channels that post new content every day, and an important update can quickly disappear from the interface. We discovered the news with the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.27.10.70 update, which is available on TestFlight.
How channel admins will be able to pin an update
It works just like pinning a message in a private chat. The channel admin needs to tap and hold the update they want to pin. In the context menu, they need to select the pin option. This action shows an alert to inform users that the channel update would be pinned in the channel for 30 days. Once the admin confirms, the update appears at the top of the channel. As a result, followers can see the update pinned at the top of the interface for 30 days.
Pinned updates will last 30 days before unpinning automatically
WhatsApp sets a 30-day limit on pinned channel updates. This means that channel admins cannot choose a different duration for pinning their updates. After that period, the update unpins automatically without any action needed from the admin. This is different from pinned messages in chats and groups, where users can choose different durations. Without this limit, a channel could end up with pinned content that nobody needs anymore.
Channel admins will be able to unpin an update at any time
The 30-day limit is the maximum, but it is not a fixed commitment. If a channel admin wants to unpin the update before the 30 days are up, they can do so at any time. The same context menu that lets admins pin an update also gives them the option to unpin it. If the update is old, channel admins can quickly view it by tapping on the pinned update at the top of the interface. This takes users directly to that update in the channel. At this point, they can unpin the update for everyone.
Why pinned updates are useful for channel admins
A pinned update is helpful whenever an admin wants their followers to see something specific, regardless of how many new updates appear after it. For example, it is useful for important announcements that can easily be missed in an active channel. If the channel admin pins the update, followers can consistently see it at the top of the interface as long as the admin needs it. It's a simple tool, but it gives channel admins more control over how followers experience the channel.
WhatsApp is developing pinned channel updates for a future iOS update
The feature that allows channel admins to pin updates is currently under development on iOS. WhatsApp has not enabled it for beta testers yet. We expect WhatsApp to roll it out to beta testers in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp has not shared an official timeline for its public release.
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