WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.8: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.4.8.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on an optional subscription plan that will provide access to exclusive features, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | WhatsApp Exclusive Features |
| 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 Android 2.26.4.5: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates from their channels! |
WhatsApp is working on a subscription plan with exclusive features
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.9, we announced an optional subscription plan to avoid ads in the Updates tab for users in Europe and the UK. This feature is currently under development and it will let users pay for a subscription to access the Updates tab without ads. This means that subscribed users will never see an ad when viewing their status updates. They will also not see promoted channels, which creators pay to have featured in users' suggested channels. This ad-free plan will allow users to navigate to the Updates tab without any interruptions.
While the ad-free plan for the Updates tab is still in development, WhatsApp is now working on another paid plan designed to offer a richer experience. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.8 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on an optional subscription plan that will provide access to exclusive features.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a new subscription plan to offer exclusive features, scheduled for release in a future update. Currently, WhatsApp plans to provide access to this subscription plan through a waitlist. Once users join the waitlist, they will receive a notification when the plan becomes available. If users choose to subscribe, they will be able to explore a rich set of new features designed to enhance the existing capabilities of the app.
Meta had already confirmed its plans to introduce a WhatsApp subscription to TechCrunch before our initial announcement on X. However, we can already give our readers a preview of the first premium features. This set includes premium stickers, app themes, and the ability to pin more than 3 chats, as mentioned in the attached image. In addition, WhatsApp plans to introduce a dedicated set of chat ringtones, giving users more options to personalize their messaging experience.
WhatsApp will also offer an option to customize the app icon. This feature will allow users to choose their preferred app icon from multiple new options provided by WhatsApp. As a result, users will have more ways to personalize the appearance of the app on their device. It's worth noting that while this subscription plan remains under development, some features and details may be revised before the official release. This means that one or more features may even be discarded if they won't meet user expectations.
It's important to mention that this is just the first set of features, and more may be added over time as WhatsApp collects feedback. Users can expect the subscription plan to evolve with new options and improvements over the coming months. This approach will let WhatsApp refine the experience to ensure it delivers maximum value. At the moment, the price of this premium subscription is unknown and will vary by country.
This new subscription plan differs from the one previously announced that provides an ad-free experience in the Updates tab in Europe and UK. Similar to the ad-free plan, this premium subscription will be optional. This means that users won't be forced to subscribe unless they want an enhanced experience according to their needs. In addition, it won't affect the privacy principles the app. Users won't have to pay more for privacy, as the privacy protections of the app will remain the same for all users, regardless of whether they subscribe. As a result, access to private messaging and the core features will continue to be free.
The optional subscription plan that will provide access to exclusive features is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is currently outlining what the paid plan will offer. Once all the features offered by the paid plan are implemented, WhatsApp will release the new subscription to offer users a richer experience.
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