WhatsApp Testing Instagram-Style 'Close Friends' Feature for Status Updates

WhatsApp is developing a feature that will allow users to share status updates with a dedicated list of close friends.

The option mirrors the close friends tool already available on Instagram and will give users an additional way to control the audience for their temporary posts.

The Meta-owned messaging service has been testing the capability in recent beta versions.

It first surfaced in updates for Android and iOS.

WABetaInfo reported the development in its coverage of the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.13. The site stated:

"WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to choose close friends for status updates, and it will be available in a future update!"

Users will create and edit the close friends list inside the status privacy settings.

They can select specific contacts to include.

When composing a new status they will see the close friends option alongside the existing choices of my contacts, my contacts except and only share with.

Contacts added to the list will receive no notification of their inclusion or removal.

Those who view a status shared exclusively with close friends will see a different coloured ring around the poster's profile picture.

Gadgets 360 reported that:

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

Edits to the list will affect only future status updates.

Existing posts already shared with the group will remain visible to its members until they expire after 24 hours.

The feature remains under development and has not reached public release.

WhatsApp has released no official statement on timing.

Beta testers are expected to receive the first access before any broader rollout, while some users are already able to use this feature in WhatsApp's latest version.