WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will take user privacy a step further. The app is preparing to add the “close friends” sharing option found on the popular social media platform Instagram to status updates. This new feature is currently being tested on the iOS version of WhatsApp.

How WhatsApp will enhance user privacy

Currently, in WhatsApp’s status sharing settings, users can share their updates with everyone, exclude certain people, or show them only to certain contacts.

With this new feature, users can now limit their status updates to a specially created “close friends” list. This will allow users to share more private moments and content only with trusted contacts.

Like a similar feature on Instagram, WhatsApp will also feature a visual cue indicating that status updates are shared with close friends. A different color will appear around the shared status, informing users that the share is being made to a specific audience.

An important detail of this new feature is that no notification will be sent to the recipient when users add or remove someone from their close friends list. This allows users to easily manage their lists and protect their privacy.

Statuses shared with close friends, like other status updates, will disappear after 24 hours and will continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption. This feature, currently being tested in WhatsApp iOS version 25.23.10.80, is expected to be available to all users soon.