A WhatsApp Channel is a one-way publishing feature in the Updates area. Its administrators publish updates for followers instead of opening a normal conversation among members.

How a WhatsApp Channel differs from a group

A Channel is designed for one-way updates, while a group allows participants to converse and coordinate with one another. If you need interactive planning instead, you can create an event in a WhatsApp group. The official WhatsApp Channels overview explains the Channel format.

Where you can create a WhatsApp Channel

Platform Verified creation control
iPhone Open Updates, select the + control beside Channels and choose Create Channel.
Android Open Updates, select the + control beside Channels and choose Create Channel.
WhatsApp Web Open Channels, select the + control and choose Create channel.
WhatsApp Desktop Open Channels, select the + control and choose Create channel.

Channel availability can still differ by account, app release or region. Compare your interface with WhatsApp’s Channel creation guidance if the creation control is missing.

Create and configure your WhatsApp Channel

  1. Open the Channel creation control for your platform using the path above.
  2. Select Continue when WhatsApp displays the introduction.
  3. Enter the Channel name.
  4. Select Add description and enter a short explanation of what the Channel will publish.
  5. Select the image control and choose the image you want to use as the Channel icon.
  6. Select Create channel to finish.

The name is required to complete creation; the description and image can be added during setup. The official WhatsApp Channel tutorial provides a visual reference for the creation sequence.

Publish and confirm your first Channel update

  1. Open the Channel while using the account that created it.
  2. Select the update composer inside the Channel.
  3. Enter a short first update, such as a welcome message.
  4. Select the displayed send control to publish it.
  5. Check the Channel feed and confirm that the update appears.

Seeing the update in the Channel feed confirms that the first publication was completed.

Copy the Channel link or share its QR code

  1. Open the Channel.
  2. Select the Channel name to open its information page.
  3. Select the sharing control and choose Copy link to copy the Channel link, or choose an available sharing destination.
  4. On a platform that displays the QR-code control, select QR code and use the available sharing or saving control.
  5. Open the copied link or scan the QR code to confirm that it leads to the intended Channel.

If the QR-code control is not displayed on your platform or account, use the copied Channel link instead.