WhatsApp may soon announce a paid subscription plan with exclusive features for select users

whatsapp

• WhatsApp testing optional premium subscription with exclusive features
• Premium may offer custom themes, sticker packs, and more pinned chats
• Core WhatsApp app will remain free for all users

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WhatsApp may soon give users a new reason to pay for the app. According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is working on an optional premium subscription that will unlock a set of exclusive features not available to regular users.

The subscription is still under development and is expected to roll out sometime in the future. For now, WhatsApp is testing the idea through beta versions of the app, and some users may see a waitlist for the new plan. Importantly, WhatsApp is not making this mandatory. Users who are happy with the current experience will be able to continue using the app for free, just as they do today.

So what do you get if you decide to pay? According to the report, the first set of premium features focuses on customization and convenience. Subscribers may get access to exclusive sticker packs and new app themes. There is also talk of custom app icons, letting users change how WhatsApp looks on their phone’s home screen.

Another practical feature could be the ability to pin more than three chats at the top of the app. At the moment, WhatsApp limits pinned chats to three, which can feel restrictive for people who juggle many important conversations. Premium users may also get a new set of exclusive chat ringtones.

WhatsApp says this is only the starting point. More premium features could be added over time, depending on user feedback. Since the plan is still being built, some details may change before the final release.

Alongside the subscription plan, WhatsApp is also testing several other features. One of them is a new thinking mode for Meta AI. When enabled, this mode allows the AI to take more time to process questions and give more detailed responses. Users will be able to choose between faster replies or deeper answers, depending on what they need. This feature is linked to Meta AI, which is being gradually expanded inside WhatsApp.

Another upcoming change is for channels. WhatsApp is working on status updates for channels, allowing admins to share photos, videos, and voice notes that disappear after 24 hours. This gives creators a more casual way to connect with followers. WhatsApp is also testing paid partnership labels for channel posts, so sponsored content is clearly marked.

Other smaller updates include a section that shows recent chat searches, statistics for how often channel updates are forwarded, and a new strict account security setting that bundles the strongest protections into one switch.

For now, the premium subscription remains optional and unfinished. But it signals a clear shift in how WhatsApp may evolve, offering extra features for users who want more control and customization, while keeping the core app free for everyone else.