The topic WhatsApp channels are finally getting search on iPhone is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Nearly a year and a half after bringing channel update search to Android, WhatsApp is now rolling out the feature to iPhone users. Here’s how it works.
As spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is now rolling out the ability to search for specific updates within channels.
Until now, finding a specific channel update required manually scrolling through its history. With the new feature, users can simply search for it, just as they would in a regular chat.
The feature, which has been available to Android users since January 2025, can be accessed through the Search button on a channel’s details page. After searching for a word or phrase, users can use the up and down arrows to navigate between matching results.
As with most WhatsApp features, the rollout may take some time to reach everyone. Notably, WhatsApp’s Liquid Glass redesign has been rolling out for several months and has yet to reach the app’s full user base.
WABetaInfo notes that channel update search is included in WhatsApp version 26.24.72 on the App Store, and that its availability is expected to expand to more accounts in the coming days.