WhatsApp introduces channel update search for iPhone users 18 months after Android's rollout. The feature enables users to search within channels, streamlining navigation through update histories.
WABetaInfo first identified the functionality, noting that iPhone users can now bypass manual scrolling by entering keywords directly into the Search bar located on a channel’s details interface. This mirrors existing chat search capabilities.
This functionality aligns with Android’s implementation since January 2025. Users can navigate between search results using arrow buttons after entering queries. WhatsApp warns that full deployment may require extended periods, citing its ongoing Liquid Glass interface rollout—active for months—as precedent.
Current availability is tied to WhatsApp version 26.24.72 on the App Store. WABetaInfo confirms that gradual account activation will continue in the coming days. The update retains identical search mechanics across platforms.
Full technical details remain available via WABetaInfo’s original analysis.
