WhatsApp Tests Close Friends Feature For Sharing Status Updates

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

WhatsApp has released a new update for iOS users through its TestFlight beta program. The latest version is 25.23.10.80. With this update, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that many people have been waiting for. It will let users share their status updates with a smaller, private group of people instead of everyone in their contact list. This feature is called Close Friends, and it is designed to make WhatsApp more personal and secure.

Purpose Of The Close Friends Feature

The main idea behind this new feature is to give users more control over who sees their status updates. At present, users can either share updates with all their contacts or limit them to certain people through privacy settings. But the process is not very quick or simple. With the Close Friends feature, WhatsApp wants to make it easier for people to share personal updates with a select group.

This feature will be especially useful for users who want to share private moments with family, best friends, or trusted contacts without worrying about everyone in their list seeing the update.

How The Close Friends List Works

The Close Friends list will appear inside WhatsApp’s privacy settings. Users will be able to add people to this list and manage it whenever they like. When posting a new status update, users will see two options: they can either share the update with their entire contact list or only with their Close Friends.

One important detail is that people who are added or removed from the Close Friends list will not get any notification. This means users can manage their list quietly without creating any awkward situations.

Distinct Look For Close Friends Updates

WhatsApp is also planning to make these Close Friends status updates look different from normal updates. To do this, the app will use a special coloured ring around the status, so that viewers instantly know the update is exclusive. This will help people recognise that the update is private and not meant for everyone.

This design choice is similar to other social media apps, like Instagram, where a green circle shows that a story is shared only with Close Friends. WhatsApp’s version will have its own distinct look but serve the same purpose—making it clear that the update is private.

Privacy And Security Remain Key

WhatsApp has always focused on privacy and security. The company has confirmed that even Close Friends updates will remain protected by end-to-end encryption. This means that only the people chosen by the user will be able to see the content, and no one else—not even WhatsApp—can access it.

In addition, Close Friends updates will continue to disappear after 24 hours, just like regular status updates. This temporary nature keeps the feature safe, private, and less stressful for users who don’t want their content saved permanently.

Benefits For Users

This new feature will give users several advantages. First, it saves time by removing the need to adjust privacy settings every time someone wants to share a personal update. Instead, users can simply choose Close Friends when posting.

Second, it allows more natural and open sharing. Many people avoid posting on WhatsApp Status because they don’t want everyone to see their updates. By having a trusted group, users can post more freely without fear of oversharing.

Third, the coloured ring will give a clear visual signal, making the feature easy to understand. People will instantly know they are viewing an update that is private and meant for them.

Similarities With Other Platforms

The Close Friends feature is not completely new in the world of social media. Instagram already has a Close Friends option for Stories, and it has been very popular. Many users are already familiar with the concept, which should make the WhatsApp version easy to adopt.

However, WhatsApp is focusing more on privacy than just convenience. With the use of encryption and disappearing updates, the app is adding an extra layer of security compared to other platforms.

Beta Testing And Availability

Right now, this feature is only available in the iOS beta version through the TestFlight program. This means that only a small group of users can try it out. WhatsApp usually tests new features in beta before releasing them to everyone.

If the testing goes smoothly, the Close Friends feature will likely appear in future updates for all iOS and Android users. There is no official launch date yet, but WhatsApp has confirmed that it will arrive in a future update.

User Reactions And Expectations

Early reactions to the news have been positive. Many users believe this feature will make WhatsApp more personal and enjoyable. People are excited about being able to share updates more freely without worrying about everyone seeing them.

Some users also pointed out that this could bring WhatsApp closer to other social platforms, where people already share private content with smaller groups. The key difference is that WhatsApp is built around messaging and privacy, which could make its Close Friends option even more useful.

Possible Impact On Communication

This feature could change how people use WhatsApp Status. At the moment, many users treat Status updates carefully because they know everyone can see them. But with Close Friends, people may use Status more casually, posting jokes, family photos, or personal updates only to trusted people.

It could also strengthen relationships. By allowing people to choose who sees certain updates, users may feel closer to those selected as Close Friends. In a way, the feature could bring WhatsApp users even closer together in their private circles.

The introduction of Close Friends is part of WhatsApp’s larger effort to give users more privacy tools. In recent years, the app has added disappearing messages, view-once photos and videos, and locked chats. All of these features aim to help users feel safer when sharing personal information.

With this new feature, WhatsApp is moving closer to a more personalised, private social experience. It shows that the company is not only a messaging app but also a platform where users can share important life moments securely.

WhatsApp’s Close Friends feature is a simple but powerful update that could change the way millions of people use the app. By allowing users to share private updates with a select group, it solves the problem of oversharing and increases trust. The coloured ring will make private updates easy to recognise, while end-to-end encryption and 24-hour disappearance will ensure safety.

Currently available only in the iOS beta version 25.23.10.80, the feature is expected to reach more users in the coming months. For now, WhatsApp fans can look forward to a more personal and secure way to use Status updates.

WhatsApp beta update, Close friends status, Privacy feature rollout