WhatsApp is testing a feature that will make it easier for users to decide when they want their messages to be delivered. With scheduled messages, users will be able to compose a message in advance and set a specific date and time for it to be sent automatically.
| Key points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Scheduled messages |
| Feature availability: | Some features may be under development, and they are not available to beta testers. Others may become available to users over time. If you're unable to access a certain feature, you will need to wait for a future update. Keep reading to learn more. |
| News shared last week: | WhatsApp is developing secure system to detect scam messages! |
| Previous article: | WhatsApp is rolling out chat message animations on Android! |
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 keep up new features, improvements, and fixes. This week's highlight focuses on scheduling messages, a feature that will make it easier to decide when to send a message. See what else has been announced this week.
WhatsApp expands access to multiple accounts with the latest iOS update
With the WhatsApp for iOS 26.22.76 update, WhatsApp is widely rolling out the multi-account feature. The feature allows users to have two different accounts on their iPhone. This means it is finally possible to manage different conversations separately on the same device, without needing a second phone or WhatsApp Business. Users can add a second account right within the app settings. They can also scan the QR code to set up the account as a linked device.
WhatsApp is testing scheduled messages for chats and groups
WhatsApp is working on a feature to schedule messages from the iOS app. It will let users compose a message in advance and set a specific date and time for its delivery. By tapping and holding the send button, users can enter this information. Scheduling will be available starting from 10 minutes after the current moment and up to a maximum of two weeks in advance. The feature will also work in group chats, though only members who are part of the group at the time of scheduling will receive the message. The ability to schedule messages will be available in the future.
WhatsApp will end support for iOS versions older than iOS 15.5
As WhatsApp continues to introduce new features, we expect that some iOS versions will eventually no longer be able to support the app. That's the case for devices that run some versions of iOS 15. Starting November 30, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer support versions older than iOS 15.5. Users on unsupported versions will no longer receive updates, including new features and security improvements. To keep using WhatsApp without interruption, users will have to update the device to a newer iOS version.
WhatsApp catches NSO Group violating court order
The US government has blacklisted NSO Group for actions contrary to national security. However, the spyware firm continued to target WhatsApp users in direct violation of a permanent court injunction. WhatsApp detected and disrupted these attempts, which involved phishing links and fake accounts created on the platform. WhatsApp asked the court to hold NSO in contempt. As part of its commitment to transparency, WhatsApp also shared some threat indicators. With this information, anyone can check whether they were targeted on any platform. Will Cathcart announced that WhatsApp is making its first donation to the Spyware Accountability Initiative, supporting forensic research and advocacy against spyware. WhatsApp reassures users that personal messages and calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption.
Europe orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI assistants for free
In October 2025, Meta updated its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, preventing third-party AI assistants from accessing the WhatsApp Business API. The European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation and, after months of back-and-forth, imposed interim measures on Meta. These measures require Meta to grant free access to the WhatsApp Business API for competing AI assistants within five working days. The Commission determined that requiring competitors to pay for access while Meta AI benefits from it for free constitutes a potential abuse of dominant market position.
WhatsApp is rolling out Status Archive to preserve your updates
WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature called Status Archive. With this feature, WhatsApp will automatically save it in a private archive on the device instead of permanently deleting it. Users can access their archived updates from the Updates tab by selecting "Status Archive" in the overflow menu. Additionally, they can manage archived status updates through the "Manage Storage" screen. To enable the feature, users need to go to the "Storage and Data" section and turn on the Status Archive option. The archive is private, so only the account owner can view their expired updates.
WhatsApp launches a redesigned message menu on Android
After three years of development, WhatsApp is finally rolling out a redesigned message menu on Android. The new menu replaces the old overflow menu in the top app bar with a floating contextual menu that appears directly near the selected message. The menu mirrors the experience already available on iOS. Accessing the new menu works the same way in both individual chats and groups: users can tap and hold any message, and the redesigned menu will appear near it. If you don't have the new menu, note that it will be available to more users over the coming weeks.
WhatsApp is testing Meta One subscription plans for Android
WhatsApp is working on integrating Meta One subscription plans directly into the Android app. Meta One is a new subscription service that unifies premium features from all of Meta's platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Meta AI, into a single offering. The service comes in two tiers: Meta One Plus at €6.99 per month, and Meta One Premium at €20.99 per month. Both plans include WhatsApp Plus, so subscribers will not need to purchase it separately. These plans are optional and they do not affect the core messaging experience.
WhatsApp is rolling out new message animations on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.23.11 update, we revealed new animations when sending messages. With this feature, WhatsApp transitions the message from the chat bar to the conversation screen. This makes the message bubble to emerge and settle naturally into the conversation. Users can control these animations by opening the Accessibility page.
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