Home
Apps
Apps News
WhatsApp Will Soon Let You Add a 'Close Friends' Status, Just Like Instagram: Report

WhatsApp Will Soon Let You Add a 'Close Friends' Status, Just Like Instagram: Report

Contacts included in a user's Close Friends list will see a different coloured ring when they view the person's WhatsApp profile picture.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 6 February 2026 19:47 IST

WhatsApp Will Soon Let You Add a 'Close Friends' Status, Just Like Instagram: Report

Photo Credit: Pixabay

WhatsApp users are expected to have two ways to set up this Close Friends list

Click Here to Add Gadgets360 As A Trusted Source

Highlights

WhatsApp developing custom contact lists for easier Status privacy
WhatsApp may allow users to edit Close Friends lists anytime
WhatsApp may roll out the Close Friends feature to beta users first

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that could allow users to share Status updates with a limited set of contacts, similar to the Close Friends feature found on Instagram. The option is expected to give users more control over who can view certain updates, offering a more private sharing experience within the app. The feature is still under development and may arrive first for beta testers before a wider rollout. If introduced, it could make it easier to share personal updates with a smaller circle without adjusting privacy settings each time.

WhatsApp Working on Close Friends Ring Indicator for Status Updates

According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, the Close Friends feature for Status updates was spotted being tested in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.5.13. The feature is still in development, and WhatsApp has not announced a release timeline, but beta testers are likely to get access to it before the feature is rolled out to all users.

The report highlights that the Meta-owned platform has been developing custom contact lists for Status updates, allowing users to group people into personalised categories rather than changing privacy settings for every post. Building on this, the platform is now reportedly working on a dedicated Close Friends list, which could offer a more private way to share updates with selected contacts.

SC Questions WhatsApp Policy of Sharing User Data With Meta Entities

Users are expected to have two ways to set up this Close Friends list. They may be able to pick contacts directly through Status privacy settings or manage the list from within the Status screen itself. WhatsApp will likely also allow users to modify the list anytime, although updates would only affect Status posts made after the modifications.

The feature tracker also claims that contacts included in the list will notice a different coloured ring around the user's profile picture, signalling that the Status was shared privately and confirming their inclusion, similar to the Close Friends feature for Instagram Status.

WhatsApp's Claims Its New Feature Can Protect Against Cyberattacks

A recent report claimed that WhatsApp is also reportedly developing an optional subscription plan that will unlock exclusive features like premium stickers, themes, and extra chat pinning.

Comments

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: WhatsApp, WhatsApp Status Update, WhatsApp Close Friends, WhatsApp Features

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More