WhatsApp News, Latest Features & Updates
Latest WhatsApp news, feature launches, API updates, Meta announcements, automation trends, and messaging insights from SheetWA.
WhatsApp Adds Contact Grid to Forward Picker on iOS
WhatsApp is rolling out a contact grid in the forward picker on iPhone, replacing the vertical frequent contacts list for some users.
May 21, 2026
WhatsApp is testing sticker reactions for messages
WhatsApp is testing sticker reactions for messages, with a separate Status update also adding stickers and celebratory emoji animations.
May 21, 2026
WhatsApp Tests Close Friends Lists for Status Updates
WhatsApp is testing a Close Friends list for Status posts, with a distinct ring for selected contacts.
May 20, 2026
WhatsApp Web Login Glitch Sends Some Users to Facebook During Passkey Scans
Some WhatsApp Web users are seeing login failures tied to passkey scans, with redirects to Facebook instead of sign-in.
May 20, 2026
WhatsApp’s New iPhone Share Sheet Puts Recent Photos and Videos Up Front
WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned iPhone media sheet with recent photos and videos easier to reach inside a chat.
May 20, 2026
WhatsApp tests automatic business chat separation on Android
WhatsApp is testing an Android beta feature that moves business chats into a separate section to cut inbox clutter.
May 18, 2026
WhatsApp adds AI writing help and photo tools inside chats
WhatsApp is adding private AI writing help and Meta AI photo tools for drafting messages and editing images inside chats.
May 18, 2026
WhatsApp Starts Letting Some Unsaved Contacts See Status Updates
Some WhatsApp users can now share Status updates with recent contacts even if the number isn’t saved.
May 18, 2026
WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Channel Replies for Admins
WhatsApp is rolling out channel replies for admins in beta, linking responses to the original update on iOS and Android.
May 18, 2026
WhatsApp tests an 'After Reading' disappearing-messages timer on Android
WhatsApp is testing an After Reading timer on Android that makes messages disappear after they’re opened.
May 16, 2026
WhatsApp Business gets a new icon in iOS beta
WhatsApp Business is refreshing its iPhone app icon in TestFlight beta, matching the newer WhatsApp Messenger look.
May 16, 2026
WhatsApp Status Visibility Gets a Stranger-Focused Clarification
WhatsApp status visibility is under fresh scrutiny as users ask whether people outside their contacts can see updates.
May 16, 2026
WhatsApp adds Incognito Chat for Meta AI
WhatsApp is rolling out Incognito Chat for Meta AI, a private mode that keeps questions and answers out of Meta\u2019s view
May 14, 2026
WhatsApp tests quick reactions for Status updates
WhatsApp is testing quick reactions for Status updates on Android, with the action appearing on the Status screen
May 14, 2026
WhatsApp beta tests a channel storage cleanup tool
WhatsApp is testing a storage cleanup tool for channels in Android beta, with related selective-delete controls also in development
May 13, 2026
WhatsApp tests paid Plus tier with themes, extra pins and premium stickers
WhatsApp is testing a paid Plus tier with themes, extra chat pins and premium stickers for a limited group of users
May 13, 2026
WhatsApp Tests Automatic Welcome Messages for Android Group Chats
WhatsApp is testing an automatic welcome message for group chats on Android. Rollout timing and customization remain unclear.
May 13, 2026
WhatsApp Web is getting chat themes in a future update
WhatsApp Web is in line for chat themes, with colorful bubbles, wallpapers, and preset color options in a future update
May 11, 2026
WhatsApp tests paid Plus tier for iPhone
WhatsApp is testing a paid Plus tier on iOS, with premium customization features rolling out to a limited number of users
May 10, 2026
Instagram DMs lose end-to-end encryption as WhatsApp becomes the privacy fallback
Instagram DMs lose end-to-end encryption on May 8, 2026, with WhatsApp framed as the private-chat fallback.
May 10, 2026
WhatsApp rolls out ads in Status and promoted Channels
WhatsApp is adding ads in Status and promoted Channels, with setup handled through Meta Ads Manager
May 10, 2026
WhatsApp is ending support for older Android phones in September 2026
WhatsApp will stop working on Android devices running versions older than Android 6 in September 2026.
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp adds dual-account support to iPhone and expands AI features
The latest WhatsApp update brings dual-account support to iPhone, plus Meta AI tools for photo editing, drafting replies, and suggesting emojis in chats
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp tests floating chat bubbles on Android
WhatsApp is testing an Android interface update that swaps the app name for the logo in the top bar and adds floating chat bubbles for quicker replies.
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp teases status widget in Android beta 2.26.18.5
WhatsApp for Android beta 2.26.18.5 surfaces work on a future widget for status updates, but the feature is not live for testers
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp sets Android 6 as the new minimum for support
WhatsApp will stop supporting Android versions older than Android 6. Phones running Android 6 or newer will remain supported on the latest app version.
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp is testing a Liquid Glass redesign for iPhone chats
WhatsApp is testing a translucent Liquid Glass-style interface for its iPhone app, centered on the chat screen and bottom tab bar.
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp patches flaw used in zero-click attacks
WhatsApp has patched CVE-2025-55177 after the flaw was used in zero-click attacks tied to an Apple vulnerability.
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp may bring Status updates into the Chats tab
WhatsApp is working on a redesign that would place Status updates inside the Chats tab rather than keeping them separate.
May 9, 2026
WhatsApp adds prepaid mobile recharges in India
India users can now recharge prepaid mobile numbers inside WhatsApp, with support for Jio, Airtel and Vi rolling out in phases
May 7, 2026
WhatsApp enters Meta’s latest legal fight over addiction and privacy
WhatsApp sits inside two separate Meta legal disputes, one over private messages in California and another over social media addiction
May 7, 2026
