WhatsApp is developing custom status lists that will give users more control over who can see their status updates in a future release. This feature will let users create and manage different audiences, making status sharing more flexible and personalized.
| Key points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Custom lists for status updates |
| Feature availability: | Some features announced in this article may be under development and not yet available to all beta testers, or they may be gradually rolling out to users. If you're unable to access a certain feature, you will need to wait for a future update. Keep reading for more information. |
| News shared last week: | WhatsApp is working on a new premium subscription plan with exclusive features! |
| Previous article: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.5.10.73: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to save photo and video drafts! |
Weekly WhatsApp Beta Updates: New Features and Improvements
This new weekly roundup brings together all the latest updates about WhatsApp beta shared this week. As a result, you can finally catch up on everything you might have missed from our past announcements. You can consider this summary as a way to stay informed about new features, improvements, and fixes. This week's highlight focuses on the development of custom status lists, designed to give users more control over who can view their status updates in the future. See what else has been announced this week.
WhatsApp is rolling out statistics for forwarded channel updates on iOS
The WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.4.10.71 update allows some beta testers who own a channel to see the number of times a channel update has been shared. This information provides a new metric for users to use to understand how many other people might have accessed the channel update. It also allows channel admins to understand which updates have been most appreciated. For a channel admin, forwarding a channel update is far more important than receiving a reaction. It's worth noting that this tool is designed to help admins understand the reach of the status update. As a result, followers will never have access to this information.
WhatsApp is developing custom lists for status updates
With the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.11 update, we announced that WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will let users create custom audiences for their status updates. This feature is currently under development and it will enable users to organizes their contacts in personalized lists. For example, users could create separate lists for family, colleagues, and different groups of friends. A status list will include a name, selected contacts, and an emoji, making it easier for users to organize and distinguish between multiple lists.
WhatsApp is working on a close friends list for status updates
WhatsApp is also developing a feature that lets users select which contacts to include in their close friends list, scheduled for release in a future update. Users will be able to decide who their status update will reach from the same interface. Alongside the three existing privacy options from the status interface, users will also be able to share the update with their Close Friends list. Selected contacts will see a different colored ring around the profile photo once the update is posted.
WhatsApp is working on personalized profiles for channel admins
WhatsApp is exploring a feature that will allow channel admins to create a personal profile for their channel. While it's currently under development, we already know that it will let channel admins create an identity that is shown to followers when they post a channel update. The profile will be attached to every update shared by that specific admin. Each profile requires an admin image and a name. This means that channel owners will only be limited to see information attached to the profile. Other details, such as the admin's phone number or push name, remain private and they are never shared with followers.
WhatsApp is working on updating privacy settings in Brazil
WhatsApp is currently developing a feature that will automatically update privacy settings in Brazil. This change will align WhatsApp with Brazil's new digital protection laws for children and adolescents, which require limited visibility of some privacy settings for young users. They won't be able to choose "Everyone" for the following privacy options: Last Seen, Links, About. With this change, WhatsApp aims to make information shared by young users more private while aligning with the law. Users affected in Brazil will receive a direct notification when these settings are updated.
WhatsApp is rolling out photo and video drafts on iOS
The WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.5.10.73 update allows some beta testers to save photo and video drafts. The option to save media currently loaded in the drawing editor appears at the top of the screen. The saved draft will appear in the Photos app among the most recent items. This feature is helpful when users edit a photo or video and they want to send it later. As a result, users can keep their edits as drafts and return to them whenever they are ready to share.
Stay tuned with us to discover new features and updates about WhatsApp coming your way next week. We will continue tracking all the latest beta releases, improvements, and bug fixes so you never miss a thing. Make sure to check back regularly and stay ahead with the newest ways to enhance your WhatsApp experience.
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