Archive · 3 Sep 2025
WhatsApp Tests 'Close Friends' Feature for Private Status
WhatsApp is testing a new 'Close Friends' feature, like Instagram, for sharing status updates.
Users can make a special list of close friends in their privacy settings.
Updates shared with this list will have a different visual.
Changing the list won't notify anyone.
Old updates won't update, so users must repost status updates to implement new settings.
All updates will remain private with encryption.
WhatsApp is developing a 'Close Friends' feature for Status updates.
The feature is similar to Instagram's Close Friends.
Users create a 'Close Friends' list in privacy settings.
Updates to close friends will have a different visual.
Changes to the list won't notify contacts.
- Who
- WhatsApp users
- What
- Close Friends feature for Status Updates
- When
- Beta Testing
- Where
- Why
- Enhance user privacy
- Feature
- Close Friends for Status Updates
- Platform
- Functionality
- Share updates with selected contacts
- Similar To
- Instagram Close Friends
- Privacy
- Contacts not notified of list changes
- Encryption
- End-to-end
- Availability
- Beta Testing
Sources
WhatsApp To Bring New 'Close Friends' List Feature Just Like Instagram
WhatsApp Status likely to get an Instagram-like Close Friends feature
WhatsApp Beta adds Instagram-like ‘Close Friends’ feature for status updates
WhatsApp Tests Instagram-Style “Close Friends” Feature for Status Updates
WhatsApp to soon roll out Instagram-style ‘Close Friends’ feature for Status updates: Everything we know so far
