WhatsApp is testing a new Close Friends feature for Status updates, allowing users to share posts with a smaller, private group instead of their entire contact list.
First spotted in the WhatsApp beta for iOS (version 25.23.10.80) by WABetaInfo on Monday, the feature mirrors Instagram’s popular Close Friends option and could change how the app’s 1.5 billion daily Status users engage with the platform.
What the WhatsApp close friends feature offers
For years, WhatsApp Status updates worked much like Instagram Stories, letting users post photos, videos, or text that disappear after 24 hours. The only privacy controls were “My Contacts,” “My Contacts Except…,” and “Only Share With….” While the last option was a makeshift Close Friends list, it wasn’t as convenient.
The new Close Friends feature introduces a dedicated list within the privacy settings. Users can handpick who belongs to this group and share specific updates only with them. Like Instagram, these posts will carry a visual marker—likely a coloured ring—so contacts know they are part of a select audience. Importantly, the list is private, meaning no one will be notified when added or removed.
Why WhatsApp is adopting Instagram’s close friends model
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp and Instagram, has steadily unified features across its apps. Close Friends proved a hit on Instagram, encouraging people to post more candid and personal updates by removing the pressure of sharing with everyone. Bringing this to WhatsApp makes sense, especially given the app’s dominant role in markets like India, Africa, and Latin America.
With more than 1.5 billion people using Status daily, often in regions where WhatsApp is the primary communication tool, greater audience control could boost engagement and make Status feel more personal. This move aligns with Meta’s broader privacy push, adding more granular sharing options without complicating the app’s core design.
When the WhatsApp close friends feature will roll out
At this stage, the feature is in beta testing on iOS via TestFlight, and only a limited number of users have access. WhatsApp hasn’t confirmed a rollout date for Android or general availability.
However, given the popularity of Close Friends on Instagram, Meta will likely expand testing quickly before moving toward a wider release.
Until then, WhatsApp users can still rely on existing options like “Only Share With…,” though the dedicated Close Friends list promises to streamline that process. For creators, small business owners, and everyday users alike, the update could make sharing more natural while reducing the friction of managing multiple audiences.
If the tests go well, the feature could arrive globally in the coming months, reinforcing WhatsApp’s position is not just a private messenger but also a social-sharing platform.