WhatsApp Tests ‘Close Friends’ Status Sharing, Boosting Privacy
Jakarta, indonesia – WhatsApp is rolling out a new beta feature allowing users to share status updates with a select group of close friends, mirroring a similar function found on Instagram. The update, currently available in iOS Testflight beta version 25.23.10.80, introduces a more granular level of privacy control for status posts.
the move comes after WhatsApp’s recent iOS 25.22.83 update, which streamlined status sharing by removing the need to navigate through contact lists. This latest development builds on that foundation, offering users the ability to curate a “close friends” list within their privacy settings and then choose to share status updates exclusively with this designated group. This feature addresses growing user demand for more controlled sharing options, allowing for more personal and intimate interaction within the platform’s 2 billion+ user base.
According to Wa beta Info, who first reported on the feature Friday, status updates shared with the “close friends” list will be visually distinguished with a unique color, making them easily identifiable. Crucially, the composition of this list remains confidential; adding or removing contacts will not trigger any notifications to those affected.
“This ensures that the process remains fully personal, because only users who have full control over curation and update of their close friends without attracting unwanted attention,” Wa Beta Info reported.
The ‘close friends’ feature is expected to provide users with greater peace of mind when sharing potentially sensitive or personal content, fostering a more comfortable and authentic experience on the platform. While a wider release date has not been announced, the beta testing phase suggests a public launch is likely in the coming weeks or months.
