WhatsApp is rolling out a new direct invitation feature for Channels. This update might seem minor on the surface, but it’s a massive shift in how creators and community leaders will build their audiences from the ground up.
Building a WhatsApp Channel has always felt a bit like shouting into a void. You create the content, you have the link, but unless you’re constantly posting it on your Status or begging people in group chats to join, growth is slow. You’re essentially waiting for people to find you.
But with the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.37.10.74, that dynamic is changing. WhatsApp is testing a way for admins to reach out and “tap people on the shoulder” directly.
Here’s the deep dive into how this works, what we can see in the leaked screenshots, and why this is actually a massive win for privacy-conscious growth.
The “Invite Followers” Mechanic: How it Works
As seen in the beta screenshots, a new “Invite followers” button has appeared on the Channel Info screen. Instead of just copying a link to your clipboard, tapping this opens a dedicated contact picker.
The Process:
- Selection: Admins can scroll through their contact list and hand-pick the people they think would actually care about the channel.
- The Limit: To prevent this from becoming a tool for mass-spamming, WhatsApp has capped the number of contacts at 64 at a time.
- The “Pro-Invite”: Once sent, the recipient gets a clean, professional-looking invitation in their personal chat with the admin. It doesn’t look like a random link; it includes a “View channel” button that lets them preview the content before deciding to follow.
Looking at the image provided, we can see exactly how the flow looks for an iOS user:
- The Info Page: The first screenshot shows the “Invite followers” option sitting right above “Invite admins.” It’s being treated as a core growth tool for the channel.
- The Guardrail: On the second screenshot, there’s a crucial disclaimer: “Only contacts with [your number] in their address book will receive your invite.” This is a “double-opt-in” of sorts. You can’t just scrape a bunch of numbers and spam them; you have to already be in their phone.
- The Invitation: The third screenshot shows the actual message. It’s elegant and non-intrusive, appearing as a “Channel follow invite” box with a clear call-to-action button.
Why This is “Smarter” Growth
This isn’t just about adding numbers; it’s about relevance. In the past, sharing a link was passive. Now, by allowing an admin to select up to 64 people, WhatsApp is encouraging “curated” communities. It’s the difference between putting a flyer on a windshield and hand-delivering an invitation to a friend.
Technical Definitions to Know:
- Beta (TestFlight): This feature is currently in the “TestFlight” program, which is Apple’s platform for testing apps before they hit the general App Store.
- Channel Admin: Only the person (or people) with administrative rights to the channel can trigger these direct invites.
- Direct Invite: Unlike a “Group Invite Link,” which anyone can forward, a Direct Invite is a personalised message generated by the system to a specific recipient.
The Big Picture: Why iOS First?
While a similar feature was spotted in Android beta 2.26.1.8 recently, the iOS rollout in v25.37.10.74 seems more refined in its UI. It looks like Meta is positioning Channels to be a more professional, engagement-heavy platform for 2026.
By making the “entry” into a channel more personal, they are increasing the chances that a user will actually stay and engage with the content, rather than just clicking a link out of curiosity and forgetting about it ten seconds later.
If you’re a creator, keep an eye on your Channel settings. Once this rolls out of beta, the “cold start” problem of having zero followers might just become a thing of the past.
