WhatsApp is preparing to make it easier for users to switch between chats and the channels they follow by moving channels to the Chats tab. People who follow channels will be shown a notification asking where they want to see updates; once the process is complete, the Updates tab will be removed.
The options in the system being tested are:
- Moving channels to the main chat list.
- Automatically archiving channels, with the option for users to move them to Chats.
Three views are being tested in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.39.1:
- Showing channels alongside chats in the “All” inbox and separating them with the “Channels” filter.
- Showing channels only under the “Channels” filter.
- A dedicated “Channels” folder that groups followed channels.
WhatsApp will determine the final design based on feedback. Status updates are already shown above Chats for some users. The Updates tab will be replaced by a “Contacts” tab designed to show people who are online and active. The feature is being developed for Android; beta testing will begin in future updates.
Why it matters
The change could affect how users who follow channel content navigate the app; the current separation between chats, channels and status updates will be reorganized. The choice offered to users will determine the extent to which channels are mixed into the main list or kept separate. As a result, the interface experience may not be the same for heavy channel users and those who focus only on individual chats. WhatsApp’s testing of different view options indicates that the layout will be shaped by user feedback, but it is not yet known which arrangement will become permanent. There is also no information at this stage on when or in what form the changes will be introduced in versions other than Android.
Background
WhatsApp is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 15 articles mentioning it in the last 90 days; the latest is dated September 29, 2026.