What's new in WhatsApp?
Meta's instant messaging app is back with another feature focused on enhancing your experience on its desktop app
September 19, 2024
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that will allow its users to view and follow channels on the app through their Mac, according to WABetaInfo.
The Meta-owned instant messaging app's new feature was unveiled in the latest WhatsApp beta for Mac 24.19.71 update which is available on the TestFlight app.
The new feature enables users to view channels directly from the Status tab, which has now been renamed to Updates, giving users access to both status updates and channels from the Mac Catalyst app.
Previously, users could only view certain channel updates through notifications due to the lack of full support for viewing them, WABetaInfo reported.
The ability to access channels was initially limited to the Mac Electron app but, as WhatsApp announced that it will be deprecated next month, the app is transitioning these features to the new Mac Catalyst app, consequently.
This will retain the users' ability to follow channels when the Electron app is phased out.
Other than viewing channels, users can now follow their favourite channels directly from the Mac app and explore the channels directory by filtering channels based on country and category.
This may also allow users to discover new content that aligns with their interests, without needing to switch to the mobile app.
Although this feature is available in the latest Mac Catalyst beta version, it's important to note that channels may not yet be fully synced with the mobile app.
This means that channels followed on the mobile app might not immediately appear on the desktop app, so users may need to follow them again on the desktop.
Additionally, channel owners might temporarily be unable to share updates within their channels from their mobile device if they follow them from the Catalyst app.
Encountering such issues is expected as this is a beta version and the feature is still being refined. However, these bugs will be addressed in a future update.
The new feature is currently available to some beta testers and it will soon be rolled out to more people over the coming days.
