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While you were relaxing, WhatsApp quietly updated#

January 13, 2026

New features in WA

Greetings to everyone who's been following WhatsApp! Over the past period, the messenger team has been actively developing the platform. Their primary focus was improving group collaboration, developing the web client, and introducing new business tools for channels.

Contents#

Quizzes in Channels on iOS#

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows channel administrators to create and share quiz-style updates with their subscribers.

How it will work#

Channel administrators on iOS will be able to create interactive quizzes. A new "Quiz" option will appear in the update publishing interface, allowing users to ask a question, add multiple answer options, upload images, and select the correct answer before publishing. For subscribers, the quiz will appear as a poll, but after selecting an answer, they will immediately see an animation and know whether their answer was correct.

Why it's needed#

This feature makes channels more interactive. Administrators can use quizzes to engage their audience, conduct educational mini-quizzes, or entertaining quizzes. This helps them understand how well subscribers are absorbing the content.

Status#

The feature is currently in beta testing and is available to some users who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS. A wider release is expected to follow soon.

Managing Connected Peripherals#

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to track the peripherals connected to their account.

How it will work#

A new list called "Peripherals" will appear in the "Linked Devices" section. It will show devices automatically connected to their account, such as an Apple Watch. Each device will be listed with its name and last active time. Disconnecting such a device is only possible by deleting the corresponding app on the device itself.

Why it's needed#

This feature provides transparency and control over account security. Users can always see which devices (besides their smartphone) their messenger is linked to, allowing them to detect unauthorized access early.

Status#

This feature is being gradually rolled out. It may be available to some users of both the iOS beta version and the stable version from the App Store.

Advanced Storage Cleanup on iOS#

An improved cleaning tool will appear in your chat settings. When used, a menu will open where you can fine-tune what to delete: text messages, starred messages, and specific types of media files (photos, videos, documents, voice messages, or stickers). Before cleaning, the system will show you how much space will be freed.

How it will work#

This gives users flexible control over their storage space. Now they can easily delete large videos from an active chat while preserving important documents and conversations.

Why it's needed#

This feature is available to some users who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS. Some users of the stable version may also receive it.

Status#

The update has been officially announced by WhatsApp and is currently rolling out to all users on mobile devices.

Inviting Contacts to a Channel#

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows administrators to share channel invitations with their contacts.

How it will work#

Channel administrators on iOS will be able to directly invite their contacts to join. An "Invite to Subscribe" option will appear in the channel details. Administrators can select up to 64 contacts from their contact list. They will receive a special invitation message with a button to quickly view and subscribe to the channel.

Why it's needed#

This simplifies the initial audience growth of a new channel. Instead of sharing a link elsewhere, administrators can directly reach those most likely to be interested in the content.

Status#

This feature is currently in beta testing for iOS and is gradually being rolled out to some users.

Participant Details Page in a Group Chat#

WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that displays a contact page for group chat participants.

How it will work#

In group chats on Android, tapping a participant's avatar will open a full bottom panel with their contact information, rather than a pop-up window. From here, you can quickly start a private chat, make a call, and administrators can promote a participant to an administrator or remove them from the group.

Why it's needed#

This makes managing a group and interacting with its participants much faster and more convenient. Everything you need is gathered in one place, which is especially important in large, active chats.

Status#

The feature has completed beta testing and has begun a gradual rollout to all WhatsApp for Android users via the Google Play Store.

Managing Call Notifications#

WhatsApp is developing call and notification management features for the web client.

How it will work#

A separate toggle for incoming voice and video call notifications will appear in the WhatsApp web client's notification settings. Users will be able to enable or disable them independently of their phone settings. If notifications are disabled, the call will only arrive on their mobile device.

Why it's needed#

This will give users more control over their browser workspace. For example, they can disable call pop-ups on their desktop to prevent them from being distracting, and answer them from their phone.

Status#

This feature is under active development and is planned to be released in a future WhatsApp Web update.

Unified Updates Tab#

WhatsApp is working to add an "Updates" tab to the web client in the future, combining status updates and channels into a single interface similar to the mobile apps.

How it will work#

The web client will feature a single "Updates" tab similar to the mobile apps. It will combine contact statuses and a list of channels the user is subscribed to. A feed of posts from the selected channel will be displayed on the side.

Why it's needed#

This is an important step toward unifying the interface across all platforms. It will make it easier for users to switch between their phone and computer without wasting time searching for the section they need.

Status#

This feature is in development. An exact release date has not yet been announced.

Conclusion#

This week confirmed WhatsApp's growth strategy in three key areas: improving communication within groups, unifying experiences across all platforms, and creating economic opportunities for creators and businesses in the channel ecosystem. Expect these updates to appear in your apps in the coming weeks.

At GREEN-API, we monitor all WhatsApp updates to provide you with the latest news and solutions for automating your business processes. Stay tuned to stay up-to-date with all the latest developments!