WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.13: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.5.13.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to choose close friends for status updates, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Close friends for status updates |
| 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 2.26.5.11: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to create custom lists for status updates! |
WhatsApp is working on a close friends list for status updates
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.11 update, we announced a feature that lets users create custom lists for status updates. This functionality is currently in development and it will enable users to organize their contacts into personalized lists. Each list includes a name, a group of contacts, and an emoji to help users differentiate it from others. Custom lists for status updates will save users from adjusting their settings every time, ensuring the right people see the appropriate content.
This feature is still under development to ensure a bug-free experience before its official release in the future. Meanwhile, WhatsApp continues to work on another special list to facilitate interactions between favorite contacts. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.13 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to choose close friends for status updates.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to select which contacts to include in their close friends list, scheduled for release in a future update. We previously reported that the feature for sharing status updates with close friends was in development in the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.25.2 update. However, it was still in an early stage at that time, as the interface and selection flow were not yet finalized. Now, it appears that WhatsApp is continuing to refine this functionality, with a particular focus on how users can select contacts for the new list.
To share a status update with their close friends, users must first choose the contacts they consider close friends. They will have two options to do this: the first is directly from the status update privacy settings. Here, users can selectively choose the contacts to include in this special list. Additionally, users will also be able to configure the list directly from the status interface.
Regardless of how users set up their close friends list, they can repeat the same process at any time. This means they will be able to add or remove contacts from the list without restrictions. However, any changes will only apply to the next status update. This means that if a status update has been shared with a specific contact and they are later removed from the list, the contact will still see the status update shared with this list.
Users will be able to decide who their status update will reach from the same interface. In addition to the usual three privacy options, there will also be the option to choose whether to share the status update with their Close Friends list. Once the update is shared, the selected contacts will see a different colored ring around the profile photo of the user who posted the update. This means that anyone added to their Close Friends list will know they've been added.
The feature that allows users to choose close friends for status updates is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is currently working on the process of sharing status updates with this special list. This includes showing recipients the status update that was shared with them. Once testing is complete, WhatsApp will roll out the close friends feature to some beta testers, allowing them to provide feedback on their experience.
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