WhatsApp Status To Get Another Instagram-Inspired Feature: Here’s How It Works
WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new Close Friends feature for Status updates, similar to Instagram. Here’s how it works and what to expect.
Published By: Shubham Arora | Published: Sep 02, 2025, 11:35 AM (IST)
WhatsApp is reportedly adding another feature to the Status updates, borrowed from social media app Instagram. The Meta-owned instant messaging app is said to soon roll out Close Friends feature, which will allow users to share status updates with friends added to a list. This is very similar to the same feature found on Instagram. Currently in development for iOS beta version 25.23.10.80, the Close Friends tool on WhatsApp is expected to release in a future update.
WhatsApp To Get Close Friends List
According to WhatsApp features tracker website WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will give users more control for customising the audience users share their status with. The messaging platform will let users share status updates with chosen close friends. As per WABetaInfo, the option to create a "close friends" list will be available within the Privacy settings screen. Once users create this list, they will be able to choose, while posting, whether to share a new status with all the contacts or exclusively with their selected close friends.
How It Works
Like Instagram, WhatsApp will also make these exclusive status updates visually distinguishable through a different colour, allowing anyone viewing that it was shared only with close friends. Similar to the feature on Instagram, if someone is added or removed from the "close friends" list, WhatsApp will not notify them of this change. This makes the process entirely private, giving only the user exclusive control over managing and updating the close friends list.
As per the report, any changes made to the list will only apply to future status updates. If a status is shared with close friends and then the list is later updated, it will still be visible to the original list of contacts and will not automatically include those added afterwards.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp also borrowed another from Instagram which allowed users to add music to their status updates.
Get latest Tech and Auto news from Techlusive on our WhatsApp Channel, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.