WhatsApp is rolling out a feature allowing users to share status updates with contacts not saved in their address books, a change confirmed by multiple reports on March 2, 2026. The update, currently being deployed across Android, iOS, and web versions, is designed for individuals who have recently interacted with a number via message or call, even without saving it.
The functionality aims to provide contextually relevant updates, according to reports. If a user has recently communicated with a number, they may now be included in that contact’s status audience, despite not being in their phone’s contact list. Status updates from these unsaved numbers will be identified by the sender’s push name at the top of the screen, accompanied by their phone number, and preceded by a tilde (~) symbol. This distinction allows users to readily identify the source of the update as originating from a non-contact.
Privacy concerns surrounding the feature have prompted WhatsApp to implement measures to mitigate unwanted exposure. Users can control who views their status updates through the “Only share with” privacy setting, restricting visibility to specific contacts. The processing of these interactions occurs directly on the user’s device, rather than on WhatsApp’s servers, according to reports.
WhatsApp’s Help Center documentation confirms that users can manage their status privacy by adding individuals to their status audience or mentioning them directly within a status update. By default, status updates are shared with all contacts, but this can be customized.
The rollout of this feature is occurring in select regions, with WhatsApp not specifying a complete timeline for global availability. The company has stated that the system is designed to minimize spam, as status updates are based on recent interactions.
