WhatsApp has started rolling out admin profiles for Channels, giving channel administrators the ability to create a separate identity for publishing updates without exposing their personal WhatsApp profile.

The feature is currently being rolled out to some beta testers on Android through WhatsApp beta version 2.26.33.7, with wider availability expected as testing progresses.

Separate Identity for Channel Updates

Under the new feature, administrators can create a dedicated profile featuring a custom name and profile picture. That identity appears alongside updates published to a Channel, while the admin’s personal name and profile photo remain separate.

The administrator’s phone number also remains hidden, allowing people managing public or professional Channels to maintain greater separation between their personal and publishing identities.

The option is particularly useful for businesses, media organisations, creators and public figures whose Channels may be managed by multiple people.

One Admin, Different Channel Profiles

WhatsApp is also allowing admins to create different profiles for different Channels.

This means a person managing several Channels could use a distinct name and image for each one, helping followers identify the identity associated with a particular Channel rather than seeing the administrator’s personal WhatsApp profile.

The feature can be activated through Channel settings using a new option called “Show admin profile on updates”. The setting is reportedly switched off by default, meaning admins must enable it if they want their dedicated profile to appear with their posts.

Admin Profile Can Be Customised

Once the feature is enabled, WhatsApp allows the administrator to create a dedicated profile with a name of up to 25 characters and an accompanying photo.

A preview is shown before the profile is saved, giving admins an opportunity to see how their identity will appear to Channel followers.

The move could also improve transparency for Channels run by teams, where followers previously had no clear indication of which administrator had published a particular update.

WhatsApp Expands Channel Management Tools

WhatsApp introduced Channels as a one-to-many broadcasting tool, allowing organisations, creators and public figures to distribute updates to followers without revealing followers’ phone numbers to Channel administrators.

The addition of admin profiles represents another step in the platform’s effort to make Channels more useful for professional publishers and organisations.

For Pakistan’s growing digital media and creator community, the feature could make WhatsApp Channels a more practical publishing platform by combining personal privacy with clearer admin identities.

The latest rollout remains limited to selected beta users, and WhatsApp has not indicated when admin profiles will become available to everyone.