WhatsApp Moves Status Updates to Top of Chats
▼ Summary
– WhatsApp is developing a feature to integrate Status updates directly into the main Chats tab, as indicated by code in its TestFlight and Android beta versions.
– The Status tray will not be visible by default; users must pull down on the chat list to reveal it, similar to Telegram’s implementation.
– The interface will resemble Instagram Stories, with a carousel prioritizing updates from a user’s most-contacted contacts for quicker access.
– The feature will include a shortcut for posting updates and tools for adding stickers, music, and effects, with updates disappearing after 24 hours.
– There is no official release date, but the feature’s appearance in both iOS and Android builds suggests a public rollout is likely coming soon.
A new version of WhatsApp on Apple’s TestFlight platform contains code pointing to a significant upcoming change. The app is preparing to integrate its Status updates feature directly into the primary Chats tab, a move that would elevate the ephemeral content’s visibility. This mirrors the prominent placement of Stories on platforms like Instagram, another Meta-owned service.
The feature was first hinted at in a recent Android beta, and now similar code has surfaced in the iOS version. This cross-platform groundwork suggests the change is a priority for Meta. While the familiar carousel of updates from contacts will appear, it won’t be immediately visible. Users will reportedly need to pull down from the top of their chat list to reveal the tray, a design choice similar to the implementation in Telegram.
According to reports from the tracking site WABetaInfo, the interface will closely resemble Instagram’s Stories. The first slot will be a shortcut for posting a personal update, followed by a scrollable list of updates from contacts. The order will not be chronological. Instead, the algorithm will prioritize contact relevance, showing updates from people a user interacts with most frequently at the front of the line. This aims to provide quicker access to the most pertinent content.
At the end of the carousel, an entry point will allow users to view hidden status updates. These are posts shared by contacts whose updates a user has chosen to mute. The core functionality of Status remains unchanged: updates vanish after 24 hours, and users can still apply a suite of creative tools including stickers, music, and text effects.
There is no official launch date for this feature. However, with references now appearing in beta builds for both major mobile operating systems, a broader public rollout could be imminent. This shift signals Meta’s intent to make Status a more central and engaging component of the WhatsApp experience.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
