How to Use WhatsApp Channels to Follow News and Updates

WhatsApp Channels let you follow your favorite news sources, organizations, and public figures the same way you follow accounts on social media — but right inside WhatsApp.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Update WhatsApp if needed
2.Find the Updates tab
3.Browse and follow Channels
4.Read channel updates
5.Mute or unfollow a Channel

Update WhatsApp if needed

~15s

Channels requires WhatsApp version 23.18 or later. On iPhone, go to App StoreUpdates. On Android, go to Google PlayMy apps. Update WhatsApp if an update is available.

Find the Updates tab

~15s

Open WhatsApp. At the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or top (Android), tap "Updates." This tab shows both your Status updates from contacts and any Channels you follow. If you have never used Channels, you will see a "Find Channels" button.

Browse and follow Channels

~19s

Tap "Find Channels" or the magnifying glass icon. You can search by name (for example, "BBC News" or "NASA") or browse categories. When you find a channel you want, tap it to preview recent posts, then tap "Follow."

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Search for your local news station or city government — many now have official WhatsApp Channels.

Read channel updates

~15s

Channel updates appear in your Updates tab under "Channels." Tap any channel to read its posts. Posts may include text, photos, videos, polls, or links. You cannot reply, but you can react with an emoji by long-pressing a message.

Mute or unfollow a Channel

~18s

To stop receiving updates from a channel, open it and tap the channel name at the top → "Unfollow." To temporarily mute without unfollowing, tap the channel → tap the bell icon and select a mute duration.

Quick Tip

Your followed channels are completely private — WhatsApp does not show channel owners who their followers are.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Use WhatsApp Channels to Follow News and Updates

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WhatsApp Channels is a feature added to WhatsApp in 2023 that lets you follow public broadcasts from organizations, news outlets, sports teams, and public figures — right inside the same app you use to message friends and family.

Think of it like following someone on Instagram or subscribing to a newsletter, but the updates arrive in WhatsApp. Channels are one-way: you receive messages from the channel, but you cannot reply or start a conversation with the sender. Your identity as a follower is private — the channel administrator cannot see who is subscribed.

This makes WhatsApp Channels a great way to receive important information without giving up your phone number to a company, and without the noise of a busy group chat.

Popular channels include BBC News, ESPN, NASA, local news outlets, and government agencies. Many healthcare organizations, libraries, and community groups now run Channels to keep people informed.

The feature is built into WhatsApp and requires no separate download. If you have WhatsApp installed and updated, you already have access to Channels.

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