WhatsApp is continuing to expand beyond basic messaging, with a new Instagram-like feature reportedly in the works. According to WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned platform is testing a feature that lets users create custom lists for Status updates, allowing them to share posts with selected contacts without repeatedly changing privacy settings. The move is aimed at giving users more control over who sees their Status content.
đź“ť WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.13: what’s new?
WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to choose close friends for status updates, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/KOeDIg6gIz pic.twitter.com/8MYHALMJIG
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) February 6, 2026
The upcoming option is designed to let users share select updates with a smaller, chosen group instead of all contacts, removing the need to repeatedly tweak privacy settings. The feature is aimed at users who hesitate to post because they don’t want everyone in their contact list to see personal photos or thoughts.
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The Close Friends option was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.5.13. Once available, users will be able to create a dedicated list of close contacts and choose this list while posting a Status update. WhatsApp is expected to allow easy management of this list either through Status privacy settings or directly during posting, making audience selection quicker and more intuitive.
WhatsApp is also keeping the feature flexible. Users will be able to add or remove people from their Close Friends list at any time, with changes applying to future updates. However, if someone has already viewed a Status shared with the Close Friends list, removing them later will not reverse that view. To make things clearer, WhatsApp may visually mark these updates with a different coloured ring around the profile photo for Close Friends.
Beyond Close Friends, WhatsApp is testing broader privacy tools such as custom contact lists for Status updates. These lists could be personalised with names and even emojis, allowing users to create multiple sharing groups like family, work, or close circles. While there is no official rollout timeline yet, the feature could make WhatsApp Status feel more private and less like a public broadcast, encouraging more users to post comfortably.
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