WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new Close Friends feature for status updates, similar to the one available on Instagram. The Meta-owned messaging app has been introducing several social elements recently, aiming to make communication more personal and engaging.
According to reports, the feature is currently being tested on iOS beta. Users will be able to create a Close Friends list and share status updates exclusively with people on that list. Once added, only those selected contacts will be able to view the updates. However, if a new contact is added after an update has already been shared, they will not be able to see it unless the user reuploads the status.
Much like Instagram, the updates shared with Close Friends will appear visually different from regular statuses. This creates a separate space for more personal and private sharing. Importantly, no notifications will be sent when a contact is added or removed from the Close Friends list, allowing users to maintain privacy without uncomfortable situations.
WhatsApp has previously allowed users to share statuses with selected contacts, but those updates looked the same as normal ones. The Close Friends feature changes this by making them visibly distinct. As with all WhatsApp status updates, these posts will disappear after 24 hours.
Alongside this, WhatsApp has been rolling out several new tools. A recently introduced AI writing assistant lets users enhance their messages or adjust the tone before sending them. The platform is also testing disappearing messages with new options, including the ability to make a message vanish just one hour after sending.
These updates reflect WhatsApp’s efforts to blend instant messaging with richer social features, offering users more control and personalisation in how they share and communicate.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
