Recent reports from the WABetaInfo portal reveal that WhatsApp messenger is testing a feature that lets users see contact statuses directly from the chat list. The discovery appeared in beta builds for both iOS and Android, suggesting an upcoming change in how status updates are displayed to the user. The new behavior would bring status posts, which are similar to the existing Stories, into the conversational flow, enabling quick access to media shared by friends without leaving the chat interface. Source awareness: WABetaInfo.
The Status feature, already familiar to millions as a 24 hour photo or short video window, would be integrated so that a status update can be opened from within the chat list itself. Even with this integration, the dedicated States section would remain in its original location, continuing to offer a gallery-like view of media that people have shared in their notes. This alignment preserves the familiar user journey while introducing a more streamlined way to keep tabs on recent activity from close contacts. Source awareness: WABetaInfo.
Industry commentary from the 9to5mac editors speculates that broadening the visibility of statuses could pave the way for more advertising opportunities across Meta properties, including Instagram, which is currently family to the same corporate ecosystem. The idea is that more prominent status usage could create stronger engagement signals that advertisers might leverage, similar to what has been seen with Stories. This line of thought is part of a broader conversation about monetization strategies across social apps owned by the parent company. Source awareness: 9to5mac.
Earlier coverage from socialbites.ca noted that WhatsApp had publicly signaled a policy change aimed at one time viewings, where developers would implement a ban on taking screenshots of photos and videos that are intended to be viewed once. This approach aligns with the protective stance around ephemeral media, aiming to preserve user intent and reduce the risk of permanent copies being captured. The evolving stance on content capture continues to be a topic of conversation among users and privacy advocates alike. Source awareness: socialbites.ca.