WhatsApp appears to be preparing a major UI tweak that could make Status updates much more visible inside the app.
According to findings from WABetaInfo, the latest beta build of WhatsApp includes references to a new interface that will surface Status updates directly in the Chats tab.
If implemented, the change would bring WhatsApp’s Status feature closer to the experience users already see on other social platforms.
Status updates could appear at the top of the chat list
Currently, Status updates live inside WhatsApp’s Updates tab. But the new beta suggests the feature could soon become easier to access.
The upcoming interface would introduce a Status carousel at the top of the Chats tab, showing updates from your contacts.
However, there’s one important twist.
The tray won’t appear automatically. Instead, users will need to pull down from the top of the chat list to reveal the Status carousel. This interaction is similar to how Stories work in Telegram.
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The interface looks similar to Instagram Stories
The design closely mirrors the familiar Stories interface used by Instagram.
According to WABetaInfo, the tray will include:
- A shortcut for posting your own Status
- Status updates from contacts
- Updates prioritized based on interaction frequency
- A shortcut to view muted Status updates
This ranking system means the updates from people you interact with the most will appear first.
WhatsApp Status works like Stories
For those unfamiliar with the feature, WhatsApp Status functions much like Stories on other social platforms.
Users can share photos, videos, text, or voice clips that disappear after 24 hours. The feature also includes creative tools like stickers, music, and effects.
While Status hasn’t been as central to WhatsApp as Stories are to Meta’s other apps, this change suggests the company may be trying to make the feature more prominent.
When will the feature launch?
The new Status tray has been spotted in both iOS TestFlight builds and Android beta versions of WhatsApp, but it’s not yet accessible to users.
Since development references now appear on both platforms, there’s a good chance the feature could roll out in a future update. For now, it remains in testing.
