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| WhatsApp may soon give status updates a more prominent position within the app. |
In a move that could fundamentally change how you interact with the app, WhatsApp is testing a radical redesign that blends the line between private messaging and social media broadcasting. As reported by the trusted feature tracker WABetaInfo on February 14, 2026, the latest Android beta update suggests that status updates may soon move beyond their dedicated home and appear directly within the "Chats" section.
For years, the "Updates" tab has served as a neatly organized repository for photos, videos, and text updates from your contacts. It was a place you consciously visited, much like checking a story on Instagram or Facebook. However, the latest beta version of the app—WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.6.9—suggests that Meta is pushing for a much more integrated and aggressive approach to status visibility.
A New Look for the Chat List
Currently, users are notified of a new status update via a subtle green ring encircling a contact's profile picture. To view it, you either tap that picture directly or navigate to the "Updates" tab to see a dedicated feed.
In the new beta build, this dynamic changes dramatically. Contacts who have recently posted a status will now appear prominently at the top of the main "Chats" tab. They are positioned almost as if they have sent you a new message, with their profile pictures remaining highlighted.
But the changes don’t stop there. As users begin to scroll through their existing one-on-one and group conversations, a horizontal, swipeable status bar comes into view directly above the message threads. This carousel allows users to quickly flick through recent updates without ever leaving their chat list.
It is important to note that WhatsApp appears to be respecting user privacy and preferences regarding this change. According to the beta build, status updates from contacts you have muted will not be shown in this new prominent area.
How to See the New Feature in Action
This specific integration is a major departure from the app’s traditional structure. For those eager to see if the feature is stable or how it interacts with other functions, it offers a glimpse into Meta's future vision for the platform.
So far, this feature has only been spotted in the Android beta track and has not yet been confirmed for iOS. You can read the full technical breakdown and see screenshots of the new interface directly from the source that spotted it:
View the detailed changelog on WABetaInfo
The Fine Line Between Messaging and Social Media
While the feature aims to increase engagement with statuses, not everyone is thrilled with the direction. Critics warn that moving status updates into the primary chat space could make WhatsApp feel less streamlined and cluttered. The "Chats" tab has always been the sacred space for direct, private communication. Introducing a broadcast carousel above your messages pushes the app further into the realm of social media—a trajectory Meta has been on since integrating WhatsApp more closely with its family of apps.
There is also significant speculation regarding the business logic behind this change. By placing status updates more prominently, Meta may be laying the groundwork for future monetization. The status section is widely viewed as a potential prime space for advertising. Unlike traditional banner ads, which have remained strictly off-limits within the chat interface itself, status ads could blend seamlessly into the user experience.
Currently, businesses can already post status updates. If these become more visible at the top of your chat list, it blurs the line between a message from a friend and a promotion from a company.
What Happens Next?
Since the feature is still in the beta testing phase, it remains highly uncertain whether it will be introduced in this exact form in the stable public release. Beta features are often tested with small user groups to gauge reaction and technical performance before a global rollout is confirmed.
For now, WhatsApp users can expect the familiar green rings in the "Updates" tab, but if this beta test expands, you might soon find your friends staring back at you from the top of your message list.
