According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is planning an upgrade of the platform, where users will see a new “Updates” tab replaced with a modified status tab while the channels are still under development.
With the first release of the new updates tab, status updates will be available in a separate section titled Silent Status.
WhatsApp offers this feature through its TestFlight beta program, which is rolling out iOS 23.11.0.74 to select beta testers.
Silent mode updates will be available in a separate section called Silent Mode, and the shortcut to open privacy settings has also been moved to the same menu.
There will also be another shortcut for creating status updates, and it will be integrated into the menu that appears when the user taps the plus icon at the top of the screen.
WhatsApp also mentioned that channels will support categories, so that users can search for a specific channel by just entering its username in WhatsApp.
Coming soon to the Channels feature for iOS users
Meanwhile, WhatsApp channels are under development and will soon be available for iOS users, as this new tool will be available for everyone to share information across iOS.
By introducing this feature, WhatsApp aims to improve access to channels and make it easier for users to get required updates.
The WhatsApp channel is a private tool, the phone number and information of the user who joins the channel is always hidden.
However, “messages received on a channel are not encrypted because the concept of one-to-many is meaningless for channels”.
