WhatsApp is rolling out a much-anticipated privacy upgrade to its Status feature: the Close Friends option, directly inspired by Instagram’s popular “Close Friends” stories.
Spotted in recent beta versions (like Android beta 2.26.5.11 and 2.26.5.13) by reliable tracker WABetaInfo, this new tool lets users share certain status updates with a select, handpicked group instead of broadcasting to all contacts. As of February 2026, the feature remains in development and testing — not yet live for most users — but it’s generating huge excitement among privacy-conscious users.
What Exactly is the Close Friends Feature for WhatsApp Status?
Currently, when you post a status (photo, video, text, or poll), you can choose broad privacy options: “My contacts,” “My contacts except…,” or “Only share with…”. While powerful, it requires manual selection every single time if you want to restrict visibility.
The upcoming Close Friends list changes that game:
- Create a dedicated “Close Friends” list (or even multiple custom lists) of your most trusted contacts.
- Label lists with custom names and fun emojis for easy identification (e.g., “Family ❤️”, “Besties 🔥”, “Work Squad 💼”).
- When posting a status, simply select the Close Friends list as the audience — no repeated manual picking.
- People on your Close Friends list will see a special visual cue: a different colored ring (likely green, like Instagram) around your profile picture when viewing the status, clearly signaling it’s exclusive content.
This makes sharing personal, behind-the-scenes moments, inside jokes, family updates, or candid thoughts effortless and truly private — without alienating your wider contact list.
Why This Update Matters in 2026
WhatsApp has been steadily evolving its Status feature to feel more social-media-like while preserving core messaging privacy. Recent betas also hint at interface tweaks, such as prioritizing recent/frequent contacts’ statuses at the top of the Chats tab.
Adding Close Friends aligns perfectly with that direction:
- Better privacy control — Share freely without worrying about who might see sensitive content.
- Less friction — No more tweaking privacy settings post-by-post.
- Cross-platform familiarity — Instagram users already love this feature; bringing it to WhatsApp (both under Meta) creates a seamless experience across apps.
- Custom lists bonus — Beyond just Close Friends, you can create multiple audience groups (family, colleagues, gym buddies, etc.) for even finer control.
It’s a smart move as users demand more granular sharing options in an era of oversharing fatigue.
When Will It Arrive?
No official rollout date has been announced yet. As with most WhatsApp features, it will likely:
- First appear for beta testers (Android and iOS).
- Gradually expand to stable versions over weeks/months.
- Roll out globally, possibly starting in select regions.
Keep your app updated and watch for the new option in Status privacy settings or directly when composing a status. If you’re in the beta program, you might spot it sooner.
Final Thoughts
The Close Friends feature feels like a natural — and overdue — evolution for WhatsApp Status. It empowers users to be more authentic in their closest circles while keeping things professional or casual with everyone else.
Whether you’re posting late-night thoughts, surprise party plans, or just silly memes you don’t want your boss or extended family to see, this update could make Status way more fun and secure.
Have you been waiting for something like this? Or do you already manage privacy with the existing options? Share your thoughts in the comments — and stay tuned for when it drops!
(Feature details based on reports from WABetaInfo and tech outlets as of mid-February 2026.)