WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.1.30: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.1.30.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on primary controls to help parents manage secondary accounts with limited features, and it will be available in a future update!

WhatsApp Secondary Accounts: New Parental Control Features

In the official Terms of Service, WhatsApp mentions that users must meet a minimum age threshold to create an account and access the platform. Generally, the minimum age is 13, but in some countries or regions a higher age may be required to comply with local laws. Minors who are below the age of legal consent cannot independently accept the terms. In such cases, a parent or legal guardian is required to provide approval on the minor's behalf. As a result, young users should review the terms together with their parent or guardian to ensure proper understanding.

In this context, WhatsApp appears to be exploring the development of new features designed to give parents greater oversight and control. These tools would aim to provide families with additional safeguards and help ensure a safer and more age-appropriate experience for younger users. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.1.30 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on primary controls to help parents manage secondary accounts with limited features!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that allows parents to manage a secondary account, scheduled for release in a future update. This new feature would allow young users to create an account with limited functionalities, such as a profile that prevents them from using certain features. These accounts will be linked to their parent's account through a dedicated connection. This will establish the relationship between the two profiles while preserving the privacy of messages and calls. This approach is designed to balance privacy with supervision, avoiding intrusive access to personal conversations.

Once the accounts are linked, parents would be able to review several privacy-related options. Younger users often overlook the impact of their privacy settings, especially when interacting with people outside their close circle. Having an adult review these options can significantly reduce unwanted exposure. It also encourages ongoing discussion between parents and children about safe communication habits, as it creates a natural opportunity to explain why certain limits are in place and how different settings affect privacy.

These accounts will give parents control over who can message or call their child's account. By default, secondary accounts will limit messaging and calling interactions to contacts only. This default configuration helps reduce the risk of unsolicited contact and potentially harmful communication, as it prevents unknown users from reaching the child directly. At the moment, WhatsApp does not allow users to choose whether they want to receive messages and calls from everyone or from contacts only. Introducing such a capability is especially important for minors, and secondary accounts are designed to address this gap.

In addition to limit interactions, secondary accounts will share certain updates related to account and chat activity with the main account. Although the exact details of this activity report are not yet known, it is important to note that message content will not be included. End-to-end encryption will continue to protect conversations, ensuring that private exchanges remain inaccessible. The report may instead focus on general usage patterns or changes to important settings. Taken together, these tools could help families create a safer digital environment while respecting personal boundaries.

The feature that offers primary controls to help parents manage secondary accounts with limited functionalities is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is testing how the new parental tools integrate with existing account settings to ensure a smooth and intuitive experience. The interface is being refined to make it easy for parents to configure a secondary account. Once released, parents will be able to ensure their child's account is set with age-appropriate settings, making it easier to support their online safety.

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