WhatsApp might add a feature to notify users when channels are available

WhatsApp has been spotted to be developing a new feature that will notify users when channels are available. The Meta-owned platform might introduce an in-app notification system to inform users about the availability of Channels.

By this, WhatsApp is taking steps to address user frustrations related to inaccessible links to Channels and the challenge of tracking account access. The messaging platform is developing an in-app alert system to tackle these issues.

In case you don’t know, Channels, which launched June 8, is a broadcast-based messaging tool on WhatsApp. It offers a simple and private way to receive important updates from individuals and organisations directly within the app. With the addition of Channels, users can choose to receive crucial updates from selected sources.

WhatsApp Channels allows admins to send various types of content, including text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. These messages will be showcased in a new tab called Updates, alongside the existing Status section. Users can access channels through invite links shared in chats, emails, or posted online.

The team at WABetaInfo, known for their keen eye on app updates, discovered the alert notification in version 2.23.12.20 of the app, which is available on the Play Store. Once the alert system is available, users can tap the “Notify me” option to receive a notification when Channels become available to them. Alternatively, users uninterested in Channels can dismiss the prompt without taking any action.

It’s important to note that the feature is still in the development phase and is not yet accessible to beta testers. Meta’s decision to create an in-app alert system indicates the high anticipation surrounding the broadcasting feature. This move suggests that WhatsApp may prioritise rolling out Channels more swiftly than other global changes to cater to the gross demand.

While the feature is still under development and unavailable to beta testers, WhatsApp typically selects specific countries for the initial rollout of major features. Currently, Channels are available in Singapore and Colombia, with an assurance that the feature will soon be released in other countries.

The forthcoming in-app notification system will help users stay informed about when Channels will be accessible to them. Tapping on the Channels-related pop-up menu will enroll users for notifications, alerting them when the feature is available. Users can choose to dismiss the prompt if they do not wish to subscribe to Channels.

WhatsApp plans to introduce Channels in a new Updates tab, distinguishing it from users’ chats with friends and family, as well as the groups they belong to.

Channels function differently from groups by offering a unidirectional communication approach, similar to newsletters. That is, unlike the interactive nature of group conversations, Channels provide a one-way flow of information from the admin to the followers, allowing admins to share updates without the expectation of bidirectional communication.