A fresh feature surfaced in the iOS beta of WhatsApp that hints at a new way to organize content: a dedicated list of channels a user might subscribe to, right within the app. This discovery comes from coverage by Portal, drawing on observations initially shared by WABetaInfo. The idea is simple on the surface: a channel catalog that a user can follow to receive content tailored to their interests, all flowing through WhatsApp as a feed rather than a traditional push notification stream.
Illustrations from the beta screenshots suggest that this channel list would live inside a section currently labeled Status. Plans are visible to rename this area to Updates, positioning both the user’s current status and the channels they subscribe to in a single, compact view. The design appears to favor a horizontal layout for statuses and subscriptions, a choice made to maximize screen real estate and make it easier to skim through channels at a glance. For people scrolling on a small device, that horizontal arrangement could feel more fluid than a long vertical list.
The feature is not yet available to the general user. It remains under development, and there are no firm release dates. When it does launch, it is expected to follow a model similar to how channels operate on some other messaging platforms: users would opt into channels that align with their interests and then receive a curated stream of messages, updates, or multimedia content in a dedicated feed—the content would be shown in the user’s primary WhatsApp experience rather than via separate apps or services. This shift could make it easier for users to discover new information, communities, and official broadcasts without leaving WhatsApp, while giving channel creators a direct line to a defined audience. In Canada and the United States, the rollout could be staggered, with early access available to beta testers before a broad public release. Observers will be watching how the feature handles content quality, moderation, and user control in real-world use. According to the beta coverage, the public release date and a complete list of available channels have yet to be announced. (Portal via WABetaInfo)
From a user experience perspective, this approach echoes a familiar pattern: users subscribe to channels that reflect their interests, and the feed delivers content aligned with those interests, all within WhatsApp’s familiar interface. If implemented as described, the channel experience would coexist with personal chats and group conversations, offering a new layer of content discovery without forcing users to switch between apps. The design would need to balance convenience with privacy and relevance, ensuring that channel content respects user settings and the broader policy framework of WhatsApp. Early impressions emphasize a clean, unobtrusive feed that doesn’t overwhelm the main chat list, preserving WhatsApp’s core identity as a personal, secure messaging space while adding a lightweight discovery channel for information and entertainment. (Portal via WABetaInfo)
For observers in North America, the potential impact is twofold. On one hand, subscribers could enjoy a more organized stream of information from brands, media outlets, and educational creators that choose to publish through channels. On the other hand, there will be heightened attention to how opt-ins are managed, how content is filtered, and what control users have over subscriptions. As with any new feature, the real-world experience will depend on how WhatsApp implements settings for channel visibility, content muting, and the ability to pause or unsubscribe easily. Analysts also expect that channel feeds would sync with the user’s existing contact and profile data in a privacy-conscious way, avoiding overreach and ensuring that users retain meaningful control over their experience. As this feature nears a formal release, more details will likely emerge about how channels integrate with existing status updates and profile sections. (Portal via WABetaInfo)