WhatsApp Tests Close Friends Feature for Status Updates

WhatsApp is developing a new feature that gives users more control over who can see their Status updates. Similar to Instagram’s Close Friends option, the tool lets users share selected Status posts with a smaller, handpicked group of contacts rather than their entire list.

The feature was first spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.26.5.13) by WABetaInfo. While it remains under development, WhatsApp has not confirmed when it will be made available to all users. As with most updates, the feature is expected to reach beta testers first before a wider rollout.

How the Close Friends Status feature will work

The new option builds on WhatsApp’s existing Status privacy controls. Instead of adjusting settings for each post, users will be able to create a Close Friends list in advance and reuse it whenever they want to share a more private update.

Users will be able to manage this list in two ways. Contacts can be added or removed through the Status privacy settings or edited directly from the Status creation screen. Any changes made will apply only to future Status updates, leaving previously shared content unaffected.

To clearly distinguish private updates, Close Friends Status posts will feature a coloured ring around the profile picture. This visual cue signals that the content was shared with a limited audience.

Other features in development

WhatsApp is also exploring a paid subscription plan. Potential benefits include exclusive stickers, custom themes, and additional options for pinning chats. While details remain limited, the move suggests a broader push toward deeper customisation and premium features.

If rolled out, the Close Friends Status feature would make sharing personal updates both easier and more private, allowing users to post sensitive content without broadcasting it to their entire contact list.

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