Highlights
- WhatsApp is testing a new “Close Friends” option for status updates, letting users share posts with curated contact lists.
- Users will be able to create named lists with emojis, reducing the need to adjust privacy settings each time and avoiding accidental oversharing.
- The feature is still under development and expected to roll out in a future update.
(Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash)
WhatsApp has been consistent in rolling out new features that make the platform much beyond basic instant messaging. Now, the latest addition appears to draw inspiration from Instagram. The Meta-owned platform is now working on a new update that could change how users share their status updates.
WhatsApp Testing Close Friends Feature for Status
According to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, Meta has introduced a new option that allows users to create custom lists for status sharing. This feature is aimed at helping users organise their contacts into curated lists, making it easier to control who sees specific status updates.
WhatsApp feature that allows users to choose close friends for status updates. (Screenshot by @WABetaInfo on X)
The feature was spotted on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.5.11. Each custom list contains a selected group of contacts, along with a name and an emoji to help users easily distinguish between different lists.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.5.13: what’s new?
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!https://t.co/KOeDIg6gIz pic.twitter.com/8MYHALMJIG
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) February 6, 2026
These user-created lists are designed to reduce the need to manually adjust privacy settings every time a status is posted and to avoid accidentally sharing updates with the wrong contacts. Among these options is an Instagram-like “Close friends” list, which enables users to share status updates only with selected people.
How Will It Work?
To post a status update for close friends, users will need to choose the contacts they want to include in the list. This can be done in two ways. Either by selecting contacts directly from the status update privacy settings or by editing the list straight from the status interface.
Users can add or remove contacts from their close friends list at any time. However, any changes made will only apply to future status updates. If a status has already been shared with a particular list, contacts removed later will still be able to view that update.
In addition to the close friends option, WhatsApp is also testing three other privacy settings for sharing status updates. Once a status is posted, the chosen audience will see different coloured rings around the profile picture of the user who shared the update.
Availability
The option to share status updates with “Close friends” is still under development. According to the report, the feature is expected to roll out in a future version of WhatsApp.
FAQs
Q1. What is the new ‘Close Friends’ feature being tested on WhatsApp?
Answer. It’s an Instagram-inspired option that lets users create custom contact lists to share status updates only with selected people, improving privacy control.
Q2. How can users manage their WhatsApp Close Friends list for status updates?
Answer. Users can add or remove contacts directly from status privacy settings or edit the list from the status interface. Changes apply only to future updates.
Q3. When will the WhatsApp Close Friends feature for Status be available to all users?
Answer. The feature is currently in beta testing on Android (v2.26.5.11) and is still under development. It is expected to roll out in a future WhatsApp update.