Urdu Report Desk
WhatsApp has begun testing three different designs to move Channels out of the Updates tab and into the main Chats section.
The feature is reportedly under development for both Android and iOS, but it is not yet available even to beta users. WhatsApp is experimenting with different ways of displaying Channels in the chat list before potentially selecting one design for wider release.
First Design: Channels in the Main Chat List
Under the first design, Channels would appear alongside conversations in the main chat list.
Users would be able to separate Channels through a Channel list positioned at the top of the chat list, while Channels would also appear in the all-messages inbox.
Second Design: Channels Outside the Main Inbox
The second design would keep Channels out of the main inbox.
They would only appear when users select the Channels list, allowing the primary chat list to remain focused on conversations.
Third Design: Dedicated Channels Folder
The third design would introduce a separate folder for Channels within the main chat list.
Users would be able to access their existing Channels from the folder and discover new Channels through the same section.
Changes to the Updates Tab
WhatsApp currently places Status and Channels under the Updates tab. However, the company has already begun moving Status updates to the top of the Chats tab for some users.
Once Status is moved, Channels could become the main feature remaining in the Updates tab.
Moving Channels to the Chats section could allow WhatsApp to use the Updates tab for another purpose in the future.
Possible Separate Contacts Tab
The potential redesign could also make room for a dedicated Contacts tab.
Such a section could allow users to access information about their online contacts as well as details related to their birthdays.
No Public Release Confirmed Yet
WhatsApp has not confirmed that any of the three designs will be introduced in the public version of the app.
Testing different layouts among users could help the company gather feedback before deciding which design, if any, should be adopted.
Keeping Channels separate from the all-messages inbox could make the chat list look cleaner, while placing them directly in the Chats tab could make Channels more prominent. A dedicated folder would also represent a change to WhatsApp’s existing interface.
