WhatsApp starts rolling out new in-chat search button on iOS

WhatsApp is now expanding its new in-chat search button to iPhone users after a short period of beta testing. The search button, located in the bottom-right corner of the in-chat interface, was introduced to make starting searches easier. Instead of navigating to the contact or group name at the top of the conversation and then selecting the search option, users can now activate search mode directly from the conversation itself.

This streamlined process is particularly useful when scrolling through a long conversation, as the button appears contextually at the top of the screen when users reach the top and disappears again when they reach the bottom. Users who see the button can simply tap it to enter search mode and start typing a keyword to find matching messages without leaving the chat.

The new shortcut is compatible with individual chats, group chats, and channels, appearing near the top of the screen in all cases. However, the rollout may take some time to reach all users.