An optional paid level for WhatsApp may not be far off, giving paying customers visual changes and extras, but the normal messaging will stay free. According to a report by someone who follows these things and posted on X, the plan – in the information that came out, called WhatsApp Plus – is being created for both iPhones and Android phones. All the details are still only possible, though.
WhatsApp Plus: what the reported features are
The WhatsApp Plus subscription that’s been talked about doesn’t seem to be about new ways of actually sending messages, but instead about making things look how you want and a little bit of help getting things done. What has been leaked suggests subscribers will get custom themes, more app icons, stickers only for them, more involved reactions, and special ringtones.
The people building it are also testing a higher number of chats you can pin, which would be good for people who are using many work and personal chats at the same time. The leak also makes it clear the subscription is not required, and the regular app will continue to be available to everyone, at no cost.
Making it yours: themes, app icons, and colors
What seems to be the biggest feature is a group of tools to change how things look. Subscribers might be able to change the app’s theme, change the accent colors, and pick from 14 different app icons to put on their home screens.
This is for people who already want to change the look of the app in unofficial ways. Giving official ways to change things could make the unofficial apps less attractive and keep user accounts safe from the dangers that come with them, and give a real way to personalize the app.
Pinned chats and better organization
A practical improvement that is said to be in the works is a big jump in the number of chats you can pin. Right now, the free version lets you pin three chats; WhatsApp Plus may let you pin as many as 20.
For people in business managing many projects, people in charge of online groups, or people with lots of family chats, this would keep the chats that matter most in sight and cut down on the time spent looking for them. It looks like a tool to help people who really use the app a lot get more done.
Ringtones, stickers, and reactions you can’t get elsewhere
Besides the visual changes and organization, the paid level might have special ringtones and sticker packs. Every ringtone is said to have its own style, helping users know when a WhatsApp call is coming in and showing that the people using it are paying customers.
Reactions to messages could be more expressive or interactive for subscribers, and exclusive stickers could add personality to chats. These features look like they are meant to make conversations more lively, but not change the main ways messages work.
Price, when it will come out, and what will still be free
No price information or firm date for release has been shown, and the final list of features could change before it’s released. The report is clear that the main things, like messaging, voice and video calls, sharing files, group chats, and privacy settings, will remain free.
It’s important to note that the information that came out doesn’t say whether a paid subscription would get rid of ads. The app has started showing ads in status updates, and people might think a subscription could give you a version without ads. That isn’t certain, based on what we know now.
What this means for users and messaging in general
If WhatsApp Plus is brought out, it would be a step toward making money from things that aren’t the main features, but still letting most people use the app. It could bring in a little more money and attract people who care about making things look how they want and having extra ways to organize things.
Risks include the chance of a split between paid and free versions, and people being unhappy if the extras don’t seem worth the money or if the rules about advertising aren’t clear. Saying clearly what the privacy rules are, what it will cost, and exactly what you get will be essential to keep the app’s huge number of users from being turned off.
As the work goes on, expect more leaks and tests. For now, the subscription that’s been talked about looks like it’s for people who really use the app and want to make it their own and be more efficient, but don’t want to lose the free, main messaging that so many people use.
