WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, is reportedly testing a new feature called the “Channel Notifier” for its users. The feature is currently being rolled out in version 2.23.12.20 and is available to users subscribed to the Google Play Beta Program. It is expected to reach WhatsApp’s global user base in the coming weeks, offering an exciting addition to the messaging app’s functionality.
The Channel Notifier feature is currently under development and aims to provide users with a notification whenever the Channels feature becomes available in their respective regions. Channels, a recently introduced feature by WhatsApp, allows users to select specific organizations from which they wish to receive broadcast messages regarding new developments and updates. Meta describes Channels as a “simple, reliable, and private way to receive important updates from people and organizations, right within WhatsApp.” However, currently, Channels is only accessible to users in Singapore and Colombia.
According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is actively rolling out the Channel Notifier feature to notify users when Channels will be available in their regions. Users outside of Singapore and Colombia who attempt to access the Channels feature will encounter a pop-up message informing them that they can opt to receive notifications when the feature becomes available for use in their respective regions. This proactive approach by WhatsApp ensures that users are informed and can take advantage of this new broadcast tool as soon as it becomes accessible to them.
The introduction of Channels and the upcoming Channel Notifier feature demonstrates WhatsApp’s commitment to addressing user demands. Meta has acknowledged that features like Channels have been requested by users for years, and the company is now delivering on those requests. By providing users with the ability to receive important updates directly within the app, WhatsApp aims to enhance communication and information sharing between organizations and their followers.
Initially, the International Rescue Committee, the World Health Organization, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City football clubs will be among the first organizations to utilize WhatsApp’s Channels feature. Meta has plans to gradually expand the availability of Channels to more regions in the months ahead, ensuring that users worldwide can benefit from this powerful communication tool.
Conclusion
As WhatsApp continues to evolve and introduce new features, such as the Channel Notifier, users can look forward to an enhanced messaging experience that keeps them connected, informed, and engaged with the organizations and updates that matter to them.