WhatsApp to Let Channel Admins DM Invites on iOS

WhatsApp is continuing to fine-tune its Channels feature on iOS, and the latest beta suggests admins will soon have a much easier way to grow their audience — directly through their contacts list.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has released a new TestFlight beta for iOS, version 25.37.10.74, which introduces a feature that allows channel admins to share channel invites directly with their contacts. The functionality is currently rolling out to some beta testers, with broader availability expected over the coming weeks.

With this change, admins can head to a channel’s information page and select up to 64 contacts at once to notify about the channel. WhatsApp then automatically generates an invitation message that includes an action button, letting recipients preview and instantly follow the channel. To avoid triggering spam detection, WhatsApp reportedly uses a temporary broadcast list, meaning only contacts who have the admin’s number saved will receive the invite.

Image: WABetaInfo

While the feature is new to iOS, it isn’t entirely unprecedented. WhatsApp previously began testing channel invites on Android earlier this year, and bringing it to iPhone users now feels like a natural next step as Meta continues to push Channels as a serious broadcast and discovery tool.

The update also fits into a broader wave of WhatsApp changes on iOS. Just last month, WhatsApp finally added multi-account support on iPhone, followed by a refreshed Calls tab layout. More recently, the app has been spotted testing peripheral tracking, letting users see connected devices like Apple Watch, alongside better tools for managing chats and storage. At the same time, WhatsApp hasn’t been without controversy, as Meta is currently facing regulatory scrutiny in Italy over new WhatsApp Business policies tied to AI chatbot integrations.

For channel admins, though, this latest tweak is a practical one. Channels are only useful if people actually find them, and being able to send targeted invites straight to interested contacts could make a noticeable difference in engagement — without blasting links into group chats or Status updates.

As with most WhatsApp beta features, there’s no firm timeline for when this will roll out to everyone. Still, its appearance in the iOS TestFlight build suggests it’s likely not too far off.