WhatsApp is rolling out mentions for text status updates
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.25.2 update, WhatsApp is expanding mentions to text status updates. The feature was previously limited to photos and videos, and now works the same way when sharing text updates. As with the main version, the mention is private, and only the tagged contact receives a notification.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Mentions for text status updates |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.25.2 is a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Kingcyrious, flakoflow, and Bima, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp now pauses before you message unknown numbers! |
WhatsApp introduced mentions for photo and video status updates
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.3 update, we announced a feature that lets people mentions contacts in status updates. The option is available in the drawing editor when sharing a photo or video. Once the user mentions a contact, they receive a notification and a message in their chat. That's how the mentioned contact knows they were tagged. Other viewers of the status never see who was mentioned, since this interaction is private between the user and the mentioned contact.
WhatsApp brings mentions to text status updates on Android
Two years ago, WhatsApp released the ability to mention contacts for status updates that included a photo or video. This means that updates shared via text were left out of the experience entirely. Finally, that's about to change. We discovered the news after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.25.2 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to mention their contacts in text status updates.
How to mention a contact in a text status update
While users type a text status, they will see a new button right above the send button. This is the button that lets users mention their contacts. If users interact with it, WhatsApp will present the contact picker, where they can select who to mention. Once users choose the contact to mention, WhatsApp automatically sends them a private notification without any other step. This makes the process consistent with how mentions already work for photos and videos, but now adapted to a text-only format.
Mentions are private, even in text status updates
The mention never appears as visible text inside the status. Other people who view the update have no way to know that the status update includes a mention. Only the mentioned contact receives a notification and a message in their chat to let them know they were tagged. This feature keeps the experience consistent with the privacy behavior introduced for photos and videos.
Mentioned contacts will still see the status regardless of privacy settings
Just like with photos and videos, a mentioned contact will always be able to view the status they were mentioned in. This happens even if that contact would normally be excluded based on the user's privacy settings for status updates. The mention works like a personal invitation that overrides the usual privacy rules, just for that one contact. As a result, the mention takes priority over any privacy setting the user has in place.
Why text status updates needed this feature too
Users usually post text updates to share a thought, a quote, or a quick announcement. Without mentions, an entire category of status updates couldn't take advantage of the feature. Extending it to text makes mentions available no matter what kind of status someone wants to share. It is a small addition, but it finally makes the experience feel complete.
WhatsApp is rolling out mentions for text status updates to Android beta testers
The ability to mention contacts in text status updates is currently available to a limited number of beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update. WhatsApp is gradually expanding access to this feature, so it may not yet be visible on your device. If you do not see the button to mention contacts after updating the app, note that it will appear in the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not shared an official timeline for the stable release, but we expect it to be available to more users in the future.
Connect with WABetaInfo
Follow WABetaInfo on X and visit our About page to learn more about what we do. We always appreciate your feedback on posts like this one.