A report published September 20, 2026, said WhatsApp was testing two persistent search entry points in its Android beta: one above the Chats list and another in Updates for finding followed Channels or discovering new ones. The change is about getting to search more directly, not changing how search works.
A search bar above Chats
The reported beta interface puts a search bar directly above the Chats list. That gives users a way to start a search without first tapping the existing search icon.
Find Channels from Updates
The second reported search bar is in Updates, the tab that includes Status and Channels. It is intended to help users find Channels they already follow or discover others.
Who is getting the shortcuts
The September 20 report said the feature was reaching some Android beta testers.
