WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.23.10.80: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 25.23.10.80.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates with their close friends, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Status updates with close friends |
| 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 Introduces AI Writing Help: Smarter and Secure Messaging with Meta's Private Processing! |
STATUS UPDATES - CLOSE FRIENDS
In the article about the WhatsApp for iOS 25.22.83 update, we announced that a feature to share status updates from other apps is available. This feature introduces a dedicated "My Status" option in the iOS share sheet, allowing users to post photos and videos as status updates directly from any app. Unlike before, when users had to select WhatsApp and then navigate through their contact list, the new shortcut streamlines the process by removing that extra step. With this update, sharing becomes faster and more seamless, letting users instantly edit their status with text, emojis, or drawings before publishing. It appears that WhatsApp is also exploring additional ways to share status updates, with a particular focus on giving users more control over customizing the audience they share with. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.23.10.80 update, which is available on the TestFlight app, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates with their close friends!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to select a more personal audience for their statuses, scheduled for release in a future update. This upcoming option focuses on creating a "close friends" list directly within the privacy settings screen, a section users are already familiar with and use to control who can view their updates. Once this separate list is ready, users will be able to choose at the time of posting whether to share a new status with their default audience or exclusively with their selected close friends.
Similar to the familiar behavior on Instagram, these special updates will be visually distinguished through a different color, making it clear to anyone viewing that the status was shared only with close friends. This visual cue is subtle but effective, as it helps users instantly recognize the intended audience and reinforces the feeling of exclusivity. It's important to mention that managing the close friends list is designed to be discreet. If someone is added or removed from the list, they will not receive any notification about the change. This ensures that the process remains completely private, as only the user has full control over curating and updating their close friends list without drawing unwanted attention. This gives users peace of mind and avoids potentially awkward situations with contacts who might otherwise feel excluded.
It's worth noting that changes to the close friends list will only apply to future status updates. If a user shares a status with their close friends and later updates the list, the original status will still be visible to the people who were on the list at the time of posting, and it will not automatically include any new contacts added afterwards. In order to apply the new configuration for a status update previously shared with close friends, the user would need to manually delete that update and publish it again. While this may require a bit of extra attention, it ensures clarity and prevents unintentional shifts in visibility after a status has already been published.
Status updates shared with close friends will remain temporary, disappearing after 24 hours, and are always protected with end-to-end encryption. This ensures that only the chosen recipients can view the update, while neither Meta nor WhatsApp has access to its content. With the same level of protection applied to status updates shared with the default audience, users can feel confident that their personal moments remain fully private and secure. The added layer of exclusivity also makes close friends updates feel more intimate, allowing people to be more authentic in what they share.
A feature that allows users to share status updates with their close friends is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. We will keep you updated on any further developments about this feature until it's officially released.
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