WhatsApp is testing multiple ways to move followed Channels into the Chats tab on Android, potentially replacing the existing Updates section.
WhatsApp is testing a major Android interface change that could move Channels from the Updates tab to the Chats tab, giving users new options for organizing followed channels.
The feature is still under development and has not yet been released to beta testers. According to WABetaInfo, the planned change was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.39.1.
Under the proposed system, WhatsApp would introduce a migration tool asking users where they want their followed Channels to appear. One option would move Channels directly into the Chats list, while another would automatically archive them. Users could later move archived Channels into the Chats tab if they change their preference.
WhatsApp is also experimenting with three possible layouts for Channels within the Chats tab.
In the first layout, Channels would appear alongside regular conversations in the main chat list. A Channels filter would also be available at the top, while Channels would remain visible in the All inbox.
The second layout would keep Channels out of the All inbox. Users would see them only after selecting the Channels filter, allowing regular conversations to remain separate from Channel content.
The third option would introduce a dedicated Channels folder inside the Chats tab. Users could open the folder to access all the Channels they follow without mixing them with individual conversations.
WhatsApp has not confirmed which layout, if any, will eventually be rolled out to users.
The proposed move could also result in a broader redesign of WhatsApp’s navigation. The Updates tab may eventually be removed if both Channels and Status updates are moved elsewhere.
Status updates have already started appearing at the top of the Chats tab for some users. If Channels are also integrated into Chats, WhatsApp may no longer need a separate Updates section.
The company could instead introduce a Contacts tab, where users would be able to find contacts and see which people are currently online.
However, these changes remain under development and could be modified before a wider release. WhatsApp has not announced an official launch date.
For now, Android users will continue to access Channels through the Updates tab. The final layout and navigation structure may change as WhatsApp continues testing different options.
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