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WhatsApp Reportedly Rolling Out New Search Shortcut for Chats and Channels on iOS

WhatsApp Reportedly Rolling Out New Search Shortcut for Chats and Channels on iOS

The change could remove a few steps from the existing search process.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Rohan Pal | Updated: 17 September 2026 19:09 IST

WhatsApp Reportedly Rolling Out New Search Shortcut for Chats and Channels on iOS

Photo Credit: App Store

The feature is not available to every iOS user yet

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Highlights

WhatsApp has reportedly moved the shortcut to the top
Users can access search directly from a conversation
The feature was previously tested at the bottom

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a new search shortcut for chats and channels on iOS, making it easier for users to find specific messages without navigating to the conversation information screen. The shortcut is said to appear below the navigation bar when users scroll up through a conversation, giving them direct access to the existing search interface. It is also expected to work in channels, where finding older updates can require manually scrolling through previous posts. The feature is currently available to some users and could reach more accounts in the coming weeks.

WhatsApp Could Bring Direct Search to Chats and Channels on iOS

WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo spotted the shortcut in WhatsApp Messenger for iOS version 26.36.74, which is available through the App Store. The feature is not available to every iOS user yet, and WhatsApp has not announced when it will be rolled out more widely. The shortcut is currently reaching users gradually, so it may take some time before it becomes available across all supported devices.

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The new control reportedly appears below the navigation bar when users scroll upwards in a chat. Tapping it could take users straight into search mode, where they can enter a keyword and look for relevant messages. The shortcut is also said to work in channels, allowing users to search through older updates without opening the channel information page.

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The feature tracker had initially reported the search shortcut in development in August. At the time, WhatsApp was testing the button at the bottom of the conversation. The latest implementation reportedly places it at the top instead, and the button disappears when users scroll back to the latest messages.

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The change could remove a few steps from the existing search process. Users currently need to open the chat information screen and select the search option before they can look for a message within the conversation. With the new shortcut, search could be started directly from the chat interface instead.

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Further reading: WhatsApp, WhatsApp iOS, WhatsApp Features, WhatsApp Update, WhatsApp Search, WhatsApp Channels, WhatsApp Messenger, iOS

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More