WhatsApp is rolling out a new shortcut on iOS that lets users access search within chats and channels more quickly. The shortcut appears while users scroll through a conversation, and it reportedly opens the existing search mode with a single tap.
According to outlet reports, the feature is included in WhatsApp version 26.36.74 and is being distributed gradually, so not all users have it yet. TechGenyz cites reporting attributed to WABetaInfo, while NDTV describes that WhatsApp moves the control placement to the top of the screen. Both sources say the change makes the search function more accessible inside the conversation, rather than requiring a separate, more distant navigation step.
The outlets do not provide details on how the shortcut behaves across different chat types beyond that it targets both chats and channels, nor do they specify whether it affects search results or performance. The key point across coverage is the introduction of a one-tap entry point to WhatsApp’s existing search feature on iPhone.
