WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.9: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.3.9.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on an optional subscription plan to avoid ads in the Updates tab for users in Europe and the UK, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Subscribe to remove ads in the Updates tab |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.3.10.70: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows the privacy settings applied to a status update! |
WhatsApp is working on a subscription plan to avoid ads in the Updates tab
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.21.11 update, we announced that Status Ads and Promoted Channels are available in the Updates tab. This feature is designed to help businesses and creators reach users without interrupting their private conversations. WhatsApp said that all promotional content is limited to the Updates tab, and it will never appear in other tabs. As a result, personal messages, calls, and group activity are not used to personalize these ads. Instead, recommendations rely on basic signals such as language, location, and interactions within the Updates tab.
The introduction of ads in the Updates tab started in a limited number of countries last year, including the United States. This gradual rollout helped WhatsApp adapt the feature to meet regulatory requirements in other countries ahead of a wider distribution. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.9 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on an optional subscription plan to avoid ads in the Updates tab.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a new subscription plan to remove ads from the Updates tab, scheduled for release in the future. Once users subscribe to this new plan, WhatsApp will no longer add ads to the Updates tab. This means subscribed users will never see an ad after viewing a certain number of status updates. They will also not see promoted channels, which creators pay to have featured in users' suggested channels. This ensures a completely ad-free experience without any interruptions.
It appears this subscription plan will only be available in Europe and the UK in order to comply with their regulations. Therefore, this plan will offer European and UK users the same options as those offered to Facebook and Instagram users, allowing them to choose whether to continue receiving ads in the Updates tab or subscribe. This means that subscribing to this paid plan will be completely optional. Users will have control over the experience they want in the Updates tab by opting in or out of ads through the subscription plan.
Users will be able to manage their subscription to the ad-free plan for the Updates tab at any time. To subscribe, users will need to make an in-app purchase through the Google Play Store. To stop renewing the subscription, users must cancel it by opening the Google Play Store, just as with subscriptions for other apps. WhatsApp also notes that it may take up to 15 minutes for changes to take effect.
Although Meta hasn't announced this update for European and UK users yet, the screenshot already provides important insights. The ad-free plan for the Updates tab appears to be priced at €4. However, this could be a rough estimate and could potentially change before the official release. Prices may also vary by country and based on whether the WhatsApp account is added to Meta's Accounts Center. It's unclear whether this applies to a single subscription plan across all Meta apps, including WhatsApp, or if Meta also intends to offer a separate ad-free plan specifically for WhatsApp at a lower price. For this reason, this separate ad-free plan may cost around €4. For now, this remains speculation while we wait for new updates from Meta's official channels.
The feature that offers users an optional subscription plan to avoid ads in the Updates tab is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is currently working to make the subscription process easier and more intuitive. Once development is complete and all regulatory requirements in Europe and the UK have been met, WhatsApp will release the ad-free plan for the Updates tab to users in these countries.
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