Meta is preparing to launch an optional paid subscription for WhatsApp that could give users more control over the app’s look and feel. The upcoming plan, internally referred to as WhatsApp Plus, is expected to introduce new customization tools while keeping the platform’s core messaging features free.
The subscription option, in development for both Android and iOS, has been under testing since January. Meta confirmed earlier this year that it would pilot premium subscriptions across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Feature tracker WABetaInfo, which discovered recent changes in WhatsApp’s Android beta (version 2.26.9.6), reported that some users can now join a waitlist for early access.
Early details suggest the subscription could include 14 new app icons and 19 accent color options, allowing users to personalize tabs, filters, and action buttons. Subscribers may also gain the ability to pin up to 20 chats instead of the current limit of three, along with access to exclusive sticker packs and custom call ringtones.
Core features such as messaging, voice and video calls, and end-to-end encryption will remain free, according to WhatsApp. The subscription will be optional and separate from the ad-free experience available in certain regions. Pricing has not yet been announced and is expected to differ by market.
The move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to introduce paid tiers across its platforms. The company described the initiative as a way to provide a “premium user experience” that enhances productivity and creativity. Meta said the subscription model will evolve based on user feedback. For now, access to the WhatsApp Plus waitlist remains limited to selected beta testers, with wider availability expected in the coming weeks.
