# About Name: SheetWA Description: Latest WhatsApp news, feature launches, API updates, Meta announcements, automation trends, and messaging insights from SheetWA. URL: https://sheetwa.com/news ## WhatsApp Adds Contact Grid to Forward Picker on iOS Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-21T01:50:39.119Z Category: News Meta Title: WhatsApp Adds Contact Grid to Forward Picker on iOS Meta Description: WhatsApp is rolling out a contact grid in the forward picker on iPhone, replacing the vertical frequent contacts list for some users. Tags: WhatsApp, iOS, messaging URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-contact-grid-forward-picker WhatsApp is rolling out a new forward picker layout on iPhone that replaces the vertical **Frequently contacted** list with a compact contact grid for some users. The update changes the forwarding screen, where chats and groups had previously appeared in a long list. Forward picker switches from list to 2-row contact grid ------------------------------------------------------- In the new layout, the **Frequently contacted** area no longer runs down the screen in a vertical format. Instead, it appears as a grid arranged in two rows, showing six contacts at a time. The change is visible in the forwarding interface itself, where users choose chats or groups to send a message onward. Rather than stacking contacts one after another, WhatsApp now uses the extra width of the screen to show more people in the same space. That means the forwarding screen feels less cramped, with more frequent contacts visible at once and less scrolling through the same small set of chats and groups. iPhone rollout reaches some users on WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.76 -------------------------------------------------------------- The new grid is available to some iOS users after installing **WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.76**. Some users may also see it after a previous update, including the TestFlight beta build. WhatsApp has not made the layout available to everyone yet. The rollout is still partial, and availability may differ by account or region. A more compact forwarding screen for frequent chats --------------------------------------------------- The main practical effect is density: the grid uses screen space more efficiently than the old vertical list and surfaces a fuller set of frequent contacts at once. For people who forward messages often, that means less scrolling through the same small set of chats and groups. The forwarding screen itself is unchanged apart from the new contact grid for frequent chats. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp is testing sticker reactions for messages Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-21T01:50:39.119Z Category: News Meta Title: WhatsApp tests sticker reactions for messages Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing sticker reactions for messages, with a separate Status update also adding stickers and celebratory emoji animations. Tags: WhatsApp, messaging, beta features, Status URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-sticker-reactions WhatsApp is testing a new way to react to messages: stickers instead of only standard emoji reactions. The update is still under development, and the rollout path is not yet settled. Sticker reactions enter WhatsApp testing ---------------------------------------- On the messaging side, the test replaces the familiar emoji-only reaction bar with sticker support. In practical terms, that means a user would react to a message with a sticker, not just a thumbs-up, heart, or other standard emoji. Stickers have long been part of the app’s chat culture, and the new test applies that behavior directly to message reactions. A screenshot tied to the test shows a long-press workflow that opens the most-used emoji bar, with stickers available to customize that set. That still leaves the core idea straightforward: instead of limiting reactions to basic emoji, WhatsApp is trying out a sticker-based response for chats. Status gets a separate reaction-layer update -------------------------------------------- A separate update is also moving around **Status**, where WhatsApp is working on status stickers and celebratory emoji animations. In that setup, users can place expressive stickers on status updates and trigger festive confetti-style effects. That affects Status posts, while the message-reaction test affects chats. The feature adds another way to respond or decorate content inside the app, but it does not alter how normal chats work. For now, the Status material should be treated as adjacent to the message-reaction test, not automatically the same feature. The two changes are both reaction-focused, but the available details do not confirm that they are one unified update. Rollout scope and access are still unsettled -------------------------------------------- WhatsApp has not broadly released the sticker reaction test. The feature is still in beta development, and availability to users remains unclear. Platform scope is also not fully pinned down. One version of the test is tied to Android beta builds, while the broader access picture, including whether the same behavior is arriving on iOS, or on both platforms, is still uncertain. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Tests Close Friends Lists for Status Updates Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-20T02:36:18.668Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Tests Close Friends Lists for Status Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing a Close Friends list for Status posts, with a distinct ring for selected contacts. Tags: WhatsApp, Status, privacy, messaging, beta features URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-close-friends-status-list WhatsApp is testing a **Close Friends** feature for Status updates that would let users share posts with a selected group of contacts instead of changing privacy settings each time. The feature is still in development, and availability is not confirmed. A Close Friends list for WhatsApp Status ---------------------------------------- The new option would give WhatsApp users a dedicated audience list for Status sharing. Instead of opening privacy controls for each post, users could send a Status update to people they have already marked as close friends. That setup would let users share with a smaller group without reopening privacy settings each time they post. Distinct ring and editable audience list ---------------------------------------- WhatsApp is also testing a visible cue for that audience split. Contacts on the **Close Friends** list would see a different-colored ring around the user’s profile picture when they view that person’s Status-related content. The list itself appears to be editable, which would let users add or remove contacts over time. The feature would give users tighter control over who sees Status updates, without adding extra posting steps. Rollout remains in testing -------------------------- For now, the feature is still in development and testing. WhatsApp has not confirmed a rollout date, and it is not clear whether the option will arrive on Android, iPhone, WhatsApp Web, or all three at once. The exact placement of the Close Friends controls is also not confirmed. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Web Login Glitch Sends Some Users to Facebook During Passkey Scans Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-20T02:36:17.124Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Web Login Glitch Sends Users to Facebook Meta Description: Some WhatsApp Web users are seeing login failures tied to passkey scans, with redirects to Facebook instead of sign-in. Tags: WhatsApp, WhatsApp Web, login, passkeys, Facebook URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-web-redirected-to-facebook-login Some WhatsApp Web users ran into a login problem on Tuesday that sent them to Facebook instead of finishing sign-in. The issue was tied to passkey scans, and the visible symptom was a failed or confusing login path on WhatsApp Web. WhatsApp Web sign-ins divert into Facebook ------------------------------------------ The problem surfaced during **WhatsApp Web** authentication, where users trying to sign in with a passkey saw the process break down. In some cases, the login flow redirected to Facebook instead of completing the WhatsApp Web session. Once a user is already signed in, the available information does not point to a broader messaging outage. The trouble is in the sign-in path itself. Passkey scans and the broken login path --------------------------------------- The visible failure is connected to **passkey**\-based login behavior on WhatsApp Web. Instead of a smooth authentication step, some users ended up in a confusing redirect loop or a failed attempt to get into their account. It is not clear whether the behavior came from a bug, a rollout problem, or something tied to specific accounts. The broader cause has not been established, so passkey scans are not completing normally for at least some WhatsApp Web users. Scope and status remain unclear ------------------------------- It is not yet clear how widespread the issue is. It is also unclear whether the redirect affects all browsers, all devices, or only a subset of WhatsApp Web users. The status of the problem is still unclear. With no confirmed root cause and no confirmed fix to rely on, the practical takeaway is narrow: the issue appears to affect WhatsApp Web login itself, not the core messaging experience after sign-in succeeds. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp’s New iPhone Share Sheet Puts Recent Photos and Videos Up Front Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-20T02:36:16.482Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp’s New iPhone Share Sheet Puts Recent Photos and Videos Up Front Meta Description: WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned iPhone media sheet with recent photos and videos easier to reach inside a chat. Tags: WhatsApp, iPhone, iOS URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-redesigned-media-share-sheet-on-ios WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned media attachment sheet on iOS, giving iPhone users a faster way to pick recent photos and videos without covering the chat. The updated layout keeps the conversation visible while moving the most-used media shortcuts closer to the point of sharing. A tighter media picker on iPhone -------------------------------- On the current flow, sharing a photo or video in WhatsApp starts with the plus button, which opens the app’s custom share sheet and then sends users into the full photo library. That view takes up most of the screen. The new iPhone interface trims that down. Recent photos and videos are surfaced more directly inside the share sheet, so users can get to commonly used media with fewer taps while still seeing the message thread behind it. Recents now sits inside the share sheet --------------------------------------- The redesigned layout adds a **recents** section under the share menu icons. It uses a compact 4x4 grid, arranged like a horizontal strip that can be swiped through. If the item a user wants is not in that strip, WhatsApp expands the view and opens the full media gallery. The same picker can also be brought up by pressing and holding the plus button in the input bar. Rollout scope on iOS remains uneven ----------------------------------- The change is tied to WhatsApp for iOS version 26.19.75 and is visible for some users on that release. It is not yet clear that every iPhone account has the new sheet. For now, the practical change is straightforward: WhatsApp is making media sharing less intrusive on iPhone, with a smaller picker that keeps the chat in view while recent files stay close at hand. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp tests automatic business chat separation on Android Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-18T03:12:42.936Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests separate section for business chats Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing an Android beta feature that moves business chats into a separate section to cut inbox clutter. Tags: WhatsApp, Android, beta, business messaging URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-business-messages-separate-section WhatsApp is testing a cleaner way to handle business conversations on Android, with business chats moving into a separate section instead of sitting alongside personal threads. The feature has surfaced in Android beta version 2.26.15.9 and gives users some control over which business chats stay in the main list. Android beta shows a separate lane for business chats ----------------------------------------------------- The change is straightforward on the surface: WhatsApp is working on an automatic split between business chats and personal conversations. In the current test build, business messages are placed in a dedicated section rather than mixed into the main chat feed. That setup would help keep the inbox easier to scan for people who receive frequent promotions, service notices, or other business updates. A separate section would keep those threads grouped together instead of forcing users to sort through them manually. How the automatic split would work in practice ---------------------------------------------- The separation would not happen instantly. Business chats would move into the dedicated section automatically after a short period of time. That gives users a window before the conversation shifts out of the main list. WhatsApp is also testing a way to keep selected business chats in the main chat list. That detail matters for threads users still want to see regularly, such as active customer support chats or ongoing order updates. The result would be a more selective inbox, with personal conversations staying front and center and business threads moving out of the way unless users choose otherwise. The broader aim is simple: help people find the conversations they care about more quickly. Instead of scrolling past promotional or automated messages, users would have a clearer path to the chats they use most often. Rollout status remains unclear ------------------------------ The feature is still under development, so it is not available to all users yet. WhatsApp has not confirmed a public rollout, and it is not clear whether the change will stay limited to Android beta testing or expand more widely later. It is also not confirmed whether the same behavior will appear on iOS. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp adds AI writing help and photo tools inside chats Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-18T02:59:50.903Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Adds Private AI Writing Help and Photo Tools Inside Chats Meta Description: WhatsApp is adding private AI writing help and Meta AI photo tools for drafting messages and editing images inside chats. Tags: WhatsApp, Meta AI, messaging, AI features URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-ai-writing-and-photo-tools WhatsApp is adding two new AI workflows directly into chats: **Writing Help** for message drafts and a broader set of Meta AI image tools for creating and editing photos. Writing Help lets users rewrite a draft in different tones, and WhatsApp says it uses Private Processing to keep the original message and AI suggestions private. Writing Help adds tone controls to message drafts ------------------------------------------------- Writing Help appears after a user starts drafting a message in a 1:1 or group chat and taps a new pencil icon. From there, WhatsApp offers rewrite options in styles including professional, funny, and supportive. Users can pick one of those suggestions or keep editing the draft themselves. WhatsApp says the feature is an optional add-on rather than a default behavior, and Private Processing is designed so Meta or WhatsApp do not read the message or the rewritten suggestions. Writing Help is rolling out in English, starting with the United States and several other countries. Meta AI image tools move into the chat flow ------------------------------------------- WhatsApp is also showing Meta AI image features inside the messaging experience. In the product demo, the tools include image creation, photo editing, removing people or objects, generating stickers from photos, enhancing status updates, and understanding what is in an image. The demo also shows users asking Meta AI to describe a photo or translate text visible in an image, putting the feature closer to a utility tool for reading and repurposing visual content inside chats. Open questions on rollout and access ------------------------------------ WhatsApp has not made the rollout picture fully clear for the photo tools. The materials shown make the features visible, but they do not confirm whether the image tools are landing in the same markets as Writing Help or on the same timeline. It is also unclear how broadly the image functions are being exposed. Some of the tools may live directly inside chats, while others may sit behind separate Meta AI entry points. For now, users can tap the pencil icon to rewrite drafts, while the image tools remain a demoed part of the wider WhatsApp experience and their full rollout details are still unknown. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Starts Letting Some Unsaved Contacts See Status Updates Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-18T02:59:50.903Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Expands Status Sharing Beyond Saved Contacts Meta Description: Some WhatsApp users can now share Status updates with recent contacts even if the number isn’t saved. Tags: WhatsApp, Status, privacy, messaging URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-status-visible-to-unsaved-contacts WhatsApp is rolling out a change that lets some people see **Status** updates even if the sender has not saved their number. The feature reaches recent contacts, people a user has recently messaged or called, and it is showing up only in select regions for now. Status posts reaching recent contacts ------------------------------------- Under the new behavior, a Status post can be visible to someone outside a sender’s contact list if there has been recent interaction between the two accounts. That means a person does not need to be saved in the phonebook to receive the update. A recent chat or call can now be enough to move a person into the group that can see the update, even when they were never added as a saved contact. That changes the practical boundaries of Status sharing for people who assumed unsaved contacts could not see their posts at all. Limited rollout across Android, iOS, and Web -------------------------------------------- The feature is not being turned on everywhere at once. It is rolling out in select regions, and WhatsApp lists the latest versions of its app on Android, iOS, and Web as compatible. That compatibility note does not mean every account has the feature yet. The rollout remains staged, so users should not assume the behavior is universal just because they are on a current app version. For now, the clearest takeaway is that the update is live only for some users in some markets. People seeing the change on their accounts may be among the first in those regions to get access. Privacy questions around unsaved-number visibility -------------------------------------------------- The update has already triggered privacy questions from users who noticed Status updates appearing from unsaved numbers. Some have asked whether the behavior reflects a change in settings or a glitch, especially when the visibility seems to cross the line they expected between saved and unsaved contacts. What users are seeing is Status visibility for some recently interacted-with contacts that were never saved; what remains unclear is whether that is a settings change, a rollout feature, or behavior that will still shift as the rollout continues. For now, the update sits in that middle ground. Some users are already seeing unsaved contacts with access to Status posts, but the full scope of the rollout and whether the behavior is final has not been fully spelled out. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Channel Replies for Admins Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-18T02:59:50.903Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Beta Adds Channel Replies for Admins Meta Description: WhatsApp is rolling out channel replies for admins in beta, linking responses to the original update on iOS and Android. Tags: WhatsApp, beta, channels, messaging URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-beta-channel-admin-replies WhatsApp is rolling out a **channel replies** feature that lets admins respond directly to their own updates while keeping the response linked to the original post. The change is live for some beta testers now and is expanding gradually, with iOS and Android beta builds both tied to the rollout. Channel replies land for admins ------------------------------- The new option gives channel admins a way to add follow-up context without deleting an update and posting it again. Replies stay attached to the original channel post, so followers can open the thread and see the response alongside the message it refers to. If an admin needs to correct a detail, add a clarification, or expand on a short post, the reply stays with the original update. Followers see the reply in the same thread as the original post instead of as a separate message elsewhere in the channel. Beta rollout on iOS and Android ------------------------------- On iOS, WhatsApp beta version 26.13.10.70 is listed as the compatible build for the feature. The rollout is currently limited to some beta testers and is expected to reach more users over the coming weeks. Android beta users are seeing the same **channel replies** feature as well. A WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.19.9 post points to the update, and some users can pick it up through earlier builds. Availability is not uniform across the beta program. Some testers can access the feature already, while others will have to wait for it to appear in a later update. What the feature changes for channel admins ------------------------------------------- For channel operators, the main benefit is simple: one post can now carry its own follow-up. That gives admins a cleaner way to add extra detail after publishing instead of removing the original message and rebuilding it from scratch. Followers can read the reply alongside the original update in the same channel thread. WhatsApp has not said when the feature will reach all beta users, and there is no stable release date attached to it yet. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp tests an 'After Reading' disappearing-messages timer on Android Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-16T06:34:12.736Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests After Reading disappearing timer Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing an After Reading timer on Android that makes messages disappear after they’re opened. Tags: WhatsApp, Android, privacy, disappearing messages URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-after-reading-disappearing-messages WhatsApp is testing a new disappearing-messages option called **After Reading** that would delete chats after the recipient opens them. The setting changes the app’s current model, where disappearing messages expire on a fixed countdown after they are sent. The feature is still in development on Android and has not reached beta testers in the clearest preview. An open-based disappearing timer -------------------------------- The **After Reading** timer adds a read-based expiry to WhatsApp’s disappearing messages. Instead of starting the clock when a message is sent, the message would disappear after it is opened. That gives users a more direct privacy control over how long a chat stays visible in the thread. WhatsApp already lets people turn on disappearing messages for chats, but the current setup relies on preset time windows rather than the moment someone reads the message. The new option would sit beside that system and give users another way to decide when a message should vanish. Android is the first platform tied to the test ---------------------------------------------- The current development work is tied to Android. In the clearest preview, the feature is still under development and is not yet available to beta testers. That makes rollout timing uncertain. It is also not clear whether WhatsApp will bring the same option to iPhone at the same time, or how the final interface will place the new timer inside the app. How the new timer sits beside existing disappearing messages ------------------------------------------------------------ The practical difference is simple: one timer starts when a message is sent, the other starts when it is read. That lets WhatsApp offer tighter control for people who want messages to disappear only after they have been opened. The feature does not replace disappearing messages altogether. It expands the timing choices available to users who already rely on the privacy setting for shorter-lived chats, while keeping the existing fixed-expiry options in place. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Business gets a new icon in iOS beta Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-16T02:05:29.953Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Business gets a new icon in iOS beta Meta Description: WhatsApp Business is refreshing its iPhone app icon in TestFlight beta, matching the newer WhatsApp Messenger look. Tags: WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, iOS, TestFlight, app design URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-business-icon-redesign WhatsApp Business on iPhone is getting a redesigned app icon, and the change is already visible to beta testers in the latest TestFlight build. The update brings the business app closer to the newer visual treatment used by WhatsApp Messenger. A new **Business** icon in the iOS beta build --------------------------------------------- The change appears in WhatsApp Business beta for iOS 26.19.10.72. For users in the TestFlight program, the updated icon shows up after installing the latest build. This is a visual adjustment only. It does not add a new in-app tool, messaging option, or workflow change. Instead, it updates the app’s appearance on the home screen and in the app switcher, where the icon is one of the most visible parts of the product. The icon now matches WhatsApp Messenger’s newer visual style ------------------------------------------------------------ The refreshed Business icon follows the same newer look that WhatsApp has already applied to Messenger on iOS. The two icons now sit closer together visually, while still keeping the Business app’s distinct identity. The Business version keeps its role and branding, but the visual treatment is now in step with the updated Messenger design rather than the older icon style. A separate earlier preview also pointed to a redesigned splash screen for WhatsApp Business. The icon change is the clearest piece of that refresh so far. Rollout is limited to TestFlight for now ---------------------------------------- The redesigned icon is currently tied to beta access on iOS. WhatsApp has not confirmed when, or whether, it will reach all iPhone users. It is also unclear whether the same design will move to Android or stay limited to iOS. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Status Visibility Gets a Stranger-Focused Clarification Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-16T02:05:29.115Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Status Visibility Gets a Stranger-Focused Look Meta Description: WhatsApp status visibility is under fresh scrutiny as users ask whether people outside their contacts can see updates. Tags: WhatsApp, privacy, status updates URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-status-visibility-test WhatsApp status visibility is drawing new attention around a basic privacy question: can people outside your contacts see your updates? The focus is on whether unsaved contacts can view a status, and on what WhatsApp is doing to clarify that behavior. Status visibility for unsaved contacts -------------------------------------- The issue centers on status updates reaching people who are not in a user’s address book. One current framing of the change describes WhatsApp as adding a status clarification for strangers, with an explanatory screen shown when a status comes from a number that is not saved in contacts. That explanation ties visibility to a recent interaction, such as a chat or call, along with the other user’s privacy settings. In other words, the question is not just whether a number is saved; it also turns on whether WhatsApp treats the interaction and privacy setup as enough to surface the status at all. How the audience controls still apply ------------------------------------- For users, the practical issue is still audience control. WhatsApp status settings already revolve around who can view an update, and that remains the core lens for this change. What is still not fully clear is the exact rule for when an unsaved contact can see a status. The available material does not establish whether this is a new product rule, a clearer explanation of existing status settings, or a limited test for some accounts. Rollout scope and platform reach -------------------------------- Availability is also uncertain. It is not confirmed whether the visibility behavior is live for all users, limited to a test group, or still being introduced in stages. Platform coverage remains unclear as well. The material does not establish whether the same status behavior applies across Android, iPhone, web, or other WhatsApp surfaces. For now, WhatsApp status privacy is being clarified around non-contacts, but the rollout status and final scope are still open. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp adds Incognito Chat for Meta AI Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-14T10:41:22.675Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp adds Incognito Chat for Meta AI Meta Description: WhatsApp is rolling out Incognito Chat for Meta AI, a private mode that keeps questions and answers out of Meta\u2019s view Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-incognito-chat-for-meta-ai WhatsApp is rolling out an **Incognito Chat** mode for **Meta AI** that lets users ask questions without Meta being able to access the prompts or responses. The feature uses WhatsApp’s **Private Processing** technology, and the chat is designed to disappear by default when it is closed. Rollout details are still unclear. Incognito Chat adds a private lane for Meta AI on WhatsApp ---------------------------------------------------------- The new mode sits inside WhatsApp’s AI chat experience rather than the core messaging inbox. It is built for conversations with **Meta AI**, giving users a separate way to interact with the assistant without those exchanges being handled in the normal saved-chat flow. The setup keeps the AI interaction private from Meta itself. In practice, that means that the questions and answers in **Incognito Chat** are not available to Meta in the same way a standard AI exchange would be. WhatsApp’s **Private Processing** system underpins the feature, extending the app’s existing privacy approach into AI use. How the private AI mode changes the chat experience --------------------------------------------------- For users, the practical change is straightforward: they can open a private AI chat inside WhatsApp, ask Meta AI for help, and close the session without leaving the conversation behind in the usual way. The mode is described as an AI-specific privacy layer, not a new general-purpose chat product. It applies to **Meta AI** conversations only, not the main WhatsApp inbox or the app’s broader messaging structure. The result is a more controlled space for asking questions, with the conversation disappearing by default when the chat ends. Rollout scope and open availability questions --------------------------------------------- What remains less clear is how widely the feature is available. Global rollout and platform-by-platform availability on Android and iPhone are still unclear. It is also not confirmed whether the disappearance behavior can be changed by user controls. For now, WhatsApp has added a private AI chat mode to its **Meta AI** experience, but the exact rollout window and reach are still unclear. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp tests quick reactions for Status updates Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-14T10:41:22.675Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests quick Status reactions Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing quick reactions for Status updates on Android, with the action appearing on the Status screen Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-status-quick-reactions WhatsApp is testing quick reactions for **Status** updates, giving users a faster way to respond without opening a fuller reply flow. The feature is under development on Android and is expected to appear directly on the Status screen, where people can acknowledge a post with a lightweight reaction. Quick reactions move onto the Status screen ------------------------------------------- The new interaction is meant to make Status replies simpler. Instead of shifting into a conversation thread, a user would react from the Status view itself. That puts a quick-reaction control on the Status screen rather than in a message thread. The emphasis is on a lightweight response for posts that only need a brief acknowledgment. Android testing and rollout status ---------------------------------- The feature is being tested on Android and is not broadly available yet. WhatsApp has not set a public release date, and wider rollout remains unclear. For now, the quick reaction option sits in testing for a future version of the app. How this changes Status engagement ---------------------------------- For users, the main change is practical: Status updates get a quicker response path. A person can react without composing a message, which makes it easier to show interest, approval, or appreciation in a few taps. The important detail is the placement and behavior inside WhatsApp Status itself, where the reaction is designed to stay lightweight and separate from a longer reply. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp beta tests a channel storage cleanup tool Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-13T08:11:46.944Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests a channel storage cleanup tool Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing a storage cleanup tool for channels in Android beta, with related selective-delete controls also in development Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-channel-storage-cleanup WhatsApp is testing a storage cleanup feature for channels in Android beta, giving users a more direct way to manage channel storage. The feature shows up in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.19.4, but the exact scope and rollout timing are still unclear. Channel storage gets a cleanup tool in Android beta --------------------------------------------------- In WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.19.4, WhatsApp is working on a cleanup option that lets users act on stored channel content instead of leaving it untouched or clearing it wholesale. That gives users a way to remove older channel content without wiping the whole channel at once, which is useful when channels fill up with messages and media over time. Selective deletion replaces all-or-nothing cleanup -------------------------------------------------- The broader cleanup behavior WhatsApp is developing points to a more selective approach. Users can choose specific items to remove instead of wiping an entire chat at once. The items discussed include messages and media such as photos, videos, audio, GIFs, stickers, documents and voice notes. One version of the feature also shows how much storage space will be freed before deletion is confirmed. It gives users a way to clear space while keeping the rest of a conversation or channel intact, rather than forcing a full purge. Android beta first, iPhone controls still look separate ------------------------------------------------------- For now, the clearest channel mention is tied to Android beta. The channel cleanup feature is identified in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.19.4, while a separate iPhone-focused cleanup tool is also being developed. On iPhone, coverage points to an “advanced chat clearing” tool with selective deletion for starred messages or media files and an estimate of how much storage will be recovered. That suggests similar goals, but not necessarily the same feature or the same rollout path. WhatsApp has not confirmed public availability, and the channel tool’s beta status, timing and item support remain unclear. For now, the update is best read as a work-in-progress focused on giving users finer control over storage inside WhatsApp. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp tests paid Plus tier with themes, extra pins and premium stickers Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-13T08:11:46.944Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests paid Plus tier with customization features Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing a paid Plus tier with themes, extra chat pins and premium stickers for a limited group of users Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-plus-subscription-tier WhatsApp is testing a paid Plus tier that packages customization tools and a few workflow extras for a limited group of users. The bundle centers on visual changes rather than core messaging, with themes, alternate app icons, premium or animated stickers and extra pinned chats among the features tied to the subscription. Paid Plus tier surfaces with customization-first features --------------------------------------------------------- The clearest draw of the tier is personalization. Users seeing the option get **theme** choices, extra app icons and sticker-related extras alongside expanded chat management. The pinned chat limit is part of that package, with the paid tier adding more room to keep conversations at the top of the app. The tier lets users pin more chats, switch between themes, change app icons and use premium or animated stickers. Limited rollout on iOS and narrow access ---------------------------------------- iOS is specifically in the current rollout window, and the tier is only appearing for a small number of users. That keeps the launch well short of a full public release. The exact scope is still unclear. It is not confirmed that the same rollout is landing on Android in the same way, and the feature bundle may not match perfectly across platforms if WhatsApp expands it further. Price and feature list still need confirmation ---------------------------------------------- A monthly price has been mentioned, but it should be treated cautiously until it is better corroborated. The branding is also not fully settled across all surfaces, so the Plus label may not be used consistently everywhere the tier appears. The monthly fee, Android availability and final feature set are still unsettled as WhatsApp continues testing the tier. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Tests Automatic Welcome Messages for Android Group Chats Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-13T08:11:46.944Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Tests Automatic Welcome Messages for Group Chats Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing an automatic welcome message for group chats on Android. Rollout timing and customization remain unclear. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-group-welcome-message-test WhatsApp is testing an automatic welcome message for group chats, a beta-stage change on Android that would greet new members as soon as they join. Rollout timing and availability remain unclear. Automatic greetings at the moment someone joins ----------------------------------------------- The feature would show a short welcome text as soon as a person enters a group, before they start scrolling through older messages. New members could see the greeting right away, while group admins would have a built-in way to welcome them automatically. Admin control and message scope ------------------------------- The feature is built around group admins and group-chat management. What remains open is whether admins will be able to customize the welcome text or whether WhatsApp will use a fixed system message. It is also not yet clear whether the greeting will be fully automatic or whether it will use an admin-configurable template. For now, the feature stays focused on group conversations. It does not change other parts of WhatsApp. Beta rollout on Android, with availability still open ----------------------------------------------------- The update is in beta testing on Android, and the exact version, rollout scope and wider release timing are still unclear. It is also not confirmed whether the feature will stay limited to Android or eventually move to iPhone. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp Web is getting chat themes in a future update Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-11T11:47:50.045Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Web Chat Themes Are in Development Meta Description: WhatsApp Web is in line for chat themes, with colorful bubbles, wallpapers, and preset color options in a future update Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-web-chat-themes WhatsApp is working on **chat themes** for the web client, adding a future personalization option that would bring colorful chat bubbles, new wallpapers and more control over how conversations look in the browser. The feature is still in development and is not yet available for beta testing. WhatsApp Web’s chat themes are in development --------------------------------------------- The planned update would let users change the look of chats directly on WhatsApp Web. Instead of a plain default interface, conversations could show themed backgrounds with matching bubble colors. The web version is being built around the same basic idea already shown on mobile: a more customized chat view that users can tune to their taste. WhatsApp has said the themes are only visible to the person applying them, so the changes stay private on each account. Preset themes, color choices, and wallpaper options --------------------------------------------------- On mobile, WhatsApp’s **chat themes** include preset combinations that change both the background and the bubbles. Users can also mix colors rather than sticking to one fixed look. WhatsApp has also added 30 new wallpaper options in the mobile rollout, along with the ability to apply one theme across all chats or set different themes for individual conversations. Channels can use themes as well. For WhatsApp Web, one early estimate points to up to 49 color options, but that figure has not been confirmed by WhatsApp itself. The exact mix of colors, wallpapers and theme controls on the browser version is still not settled. Availability and scope remain open ---------------------------------- WhatsApp Web chat themes are not yet available for beta testing, and the rollout timing is still unclear. That leaves a few open questions for the browser version: whether it will match the mobile feature set exactly, how many color choices it will include, and when users will start seeing it in the web client. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp tests paid Plus tier for iPhone Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-10T01:41:29.135Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests paid Plus tier for iPhone Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing a paid Plus tier on iOS, with premium customization features rolling out to a limited number of users Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-ios-premium-subscription WhatsApp is testing a paid subscription tier for a limited number of iPhone users, with premium features centered on customization. The plan is still in a narrow rollout, and the final name, full feature set and wider availability remain unsettled. Paid WhatsApp Plus tier reaches a limited iPhone test group ----------------------------------------------------------- The new plan is being called **WhatsApp Plus** or an **Exclusive Features** tier. For now, it is available only to a small group of iOS users rather than the broader WhatsApp audience, and it is still in testing rather than a full launch. Customization features sit at the center of the new tier -------------------------------------------------------- The clearest value inside the new subscription is customization. WhatsApp is tying the paid plan to premium or exclusive capabilities, including options that change how the app looks or behaves, but the full bundle has not been fully confirmed. Open questions on pricing, name and wider availability ------------------------------------------------------ Pricing has not been confirmed, the subscription name may still change, and it is unclear how soon the tier will reach more iPhone users. Android timing is not confirmed either. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## Instagram DMs lose end-to-end encryption as WhatsApp becomes the privacy fallback Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-10T01:41:29.135Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: Instagram Ends DM Encryption, Pushing Private Chats Toward WhatsApp Meta Description: Instagram DMs lose end-to-end encryption on May 8, 2026, with WhatsApp framed as the private-chat fallback. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/instagram-dm-encryption-migration-to-whatsapp Instagram is ending end-to-end encryption in direct messages on May 8, 2026, reversing a privacy feature Instagram users have had since 2023. The change means Instagram DMs will no longer have the same private-chat protection they did before, and the story points users toward WhatsApp as the place to take more sensitive conversations. It is not fully clear whether that shift is an official migration instruction or just the suggested alternative. Instagram DMs lose encrypted chat protection -------------------------------------------- End-to-end encryption on Instagram direct messages ends on May 8, 2026, after being available on the platform since 2023. Once the change takes effect, Instagram messages will no longer have encrypted-chat protection, and users will need to save any media or message threads they want to keep before the cutoff. The abuse-detection reason behind the rollback ---------------------------------------------- Meta is ending encryption so it can detect abuse-related material, including CSAM and grooming, more easily. With encryption removed, Instagram can scan messages more easily when needed to flag harmful content. WhatsApp is being cast as the private-chat alternative ------------------------------------------------------ One headline on the change says private chats should move to WhatsApp. The exact guidance is unclear: it is not confirmed whether Meta has formally instructed users to migrate their conversations there, or whether that is simply the way the change is being presented. WhatsApp itself is not changing in this update. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp rolls out ads in Status and promoted Channels Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-10T01:41:29.135Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp Adds Status Ads and Promoted Channels Meta Description: WhatsApp is adding ads in Status and promoted Channels, with setup handled through Meta Ads Manager Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-status-ads-rollout WhatsApp is adding ads in **Status** and promoted **Channels**, bringing sponsored content into the app’s Updates tab. The new placements are built to help businesses reach new customers and let people discover channels more easily, while ad setup runs through Meta Ads Manager. **WhatsApp rolls out ads in Status and promoted Channels** ========================================================== The new ad surfaces sit inside the Updates tab, where users already check Status posts and browse Channels. Promoted Channels serve a similar discovery role, boosting visibility in the channel directory so people can more easily follow brands, organizations and creators they may want to hear from. The placements appear only in the Updates area, not in personal chats or calls, keeping the sponsored content separate from one-to-one messaging. How advertisers set up the new placements ----------------------------------------- Advertisers create WhatsApp Status ads in Meta Ads Manager. The setup is tied to traffic, awareness and engagement objectives, giving advertisers a way to use the placement for both reach and conversation goals. Some campaigns get a recommended setup experience, while manual options remain available. That means the new inventory is not a separate tool inside WhatsApp. It sits inside Meta’s existing ad system, where businesses can build campaigns and send people from an ad straight into a WhatsApp chat. Rollout scope and what is still unclear --------------------------------------- The placements are not equally clear in every market or account type yet. Meta says the WhatsApp Status feature is being introduced gradually, and availability may not be live for everyone at once. What is still not spelled out is the exact reach of the rollout, along with pricing, audience controls and format limits for the new placements. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp is ending support for older Android phones in September 2026 Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp is ending support for older Android phones in September 2026 Meta Description: WhatsApp will stop working on Android devices running versions older than Android 6 in September 2026. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-ends-support-for-old-android WhatsApp will stop working on Android devices running versions older than Android 6 in September 2026, giving owners of older phones a limited window to upgrade or switch devices before they lose access to the app. September 2026 cutoff for Android 6-and-below devices ----------------------------------------------------- The support change affects phones still running Android 5.0 or 5.1, along with any other Android version below Android 6. It is a WhatsApp support cutoff, not a broader Android policy change, and it targets older smartphones rather than current Android devices. The practical result is straightforward: once the cutoff arrives, devices below Android 6 will no longer be able to run WhatsApp. Older-phone users face an upgrade deadline ------------------------------------------ For people still using legacy Android phones, the change is not just about missing future updates. Access to WhatsApp itself is at stake. Users on affected devices will need to upgrade their operating system if their phone still supports it, or move to a newer device to keep using the messaging app. The scale could still be significant. The cutoff is expected to touch millions of older smartphones, though the exact number of affected devices will vary by market and handset age. Device list and rollout details still need confirmation ------------------------------------------------------- What remains less clear is which specific models will be affected. No full model-by-model list has been provided, so users should check the Android version on their own phone rather than rely on a brand name alone. The exact day in September 2026 is also unclear from the available details. For now, the key point is the month: WhatsApp’s support floor is moving to Android 6, and devices below that level are on notice. Any language about exceptions or a temporary grace period should be treated cautiously until WhatsApp sets out the rollout more precisely. For anyone still on an older Android phone, the safe move is to check the software version now and plan for an upgrade before support ends. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp adds dual-account support to iPhone and expands AI features Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp adds dual-account support to iPhone and expands AI features Meta Description: The latest WhatsApp update brings dual-account support to iPhone, plus Meta AI tools for photo editing, drafting replies, and suggesting emojis in chats Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-dual-ios-accounts-and-ai-writing WhatsApp now lets iPhone users run two accounts on a single device, adding a long-requested option that Android users already had. The same update also brings Meta AI tools for photo editing and message drafting, along with personalized emoji suggestions while chatting. Two WhatsApp accounts on one iPhone ----------------------------------- The dual-account feature gives iPhone users a way to separate personal and work conversations without carrying a second phone. WhatsApp has already offered the option on Android, and iPhone now gets the same setup. The feature is designed for people who juggle more than one number or account on the same device. Users can see which account is active from the profile picture shown in the app’s bottom tab, which helps avoid confusion when switching between chats. Meta AI steps into photo editing and drafting --------------------------------------------- The iPhone update is not just about account management. WhatsApp is also adding **Meta AI**\-powered tools inside chats, including photo editing features that can remove unwanted objects, change backgrounds, or apply different styles before an image is sent. WhatsApp is also adding **AI Writing Help**, which can suggest draft responses based on the conversation. Another user-facing addition in the update is personalized emoji recommendations, which can suggest emojis while users are chatting with a contact. Rollout details are still unclear --------------------------------- What is not yet fully clear is how widely the iPhone dual-account feature is available. It is not clear whether the rollout is broad or staged. For iPhone users, the immediate change is simple: two accounts can now live on one device, with Meta AI features layered into everyday chats. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp tests floating chat bubbles on Android Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp tests floating chat bubbles on Android Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing an Android interface update that swaps the app name for the logo in the top bar and adds floating chat bubbles for quicker replies. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-floating-chat-bubbles WhatsApp is testing a new Android interface that replaces the app name in the top bar with the WhatsApp logo and adds floating chat bubbles that let users reply without leaving the app they are already using. The update is still limited to testing, and it is not clear when, or whether, it will reach a wider group of users. Logo-only top bar and floating reply bubbles -------------------------------------------- In the tested build, the familiar text label at the top of WhatsApp disappears and the logo takes its place. The top bar now shows the WhatsApp logo instead of the app name. The other visible change is the floating chat bubble setup. Instead of forcing users to jump fully into WhatsApp to answer a message, the bubbles let a conversation stay on screen while the reply is handled alongside whatever else is open. Users can reply while staying in the app they are already using. Android test status and rollout limits -------------------------------------- This is an Android test, not a full launch. Availability is still unclear, and WhatsApp has not confirmed a broader rollout. The scope is also limited to the Android side of the app. Nothing in the tested version suggests a universal WhatsApp redesign across platforms, and the visible changes are confined to the top bar and the reply shortcut now under testing. How this changes the day-to-day chat flow ----------------------------------------- For users who are already multitasking, the practical benefit is simple: messages can be answered faster while staying in the current app. The bubbles handle the reply shortcut, while the top-bar redesign changes the first thing people see when they open WhatsApp. For now, the update is a cleaner Android header with the app name replaced by the logo, plus floating chat bubbles meant to make replies less disruptive. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp teases status widget in Android beta 2.26.18.5 Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp teases status widget in Android beta 2.26.18.5 Meta Description: WhatsApp for Android beta 2.26.18.5 surfaces work on a future widget for status updates, but the feature is not live for testers Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-status-widget-beta-android-226185 WhatsApp’s latest Android beta, version 2.26.18.5, points to a new widget built around status updates and the people who shared them. The feature is still under development, and it is not available to beta testers yet. Android beta 2.26.18.5 surfaces a status-sharing widget ------------------------------------------------------- The build, released through the Google Play Beta Program, does not add a visible new feature for testers right now. Instead, it exposes work on a widget meant to surface status updates in a more direct way. The key detail is simple: the widget is designed to show who shared status updates. That puts status content closer to the home screen experience, though WhatsApp has not made the widget available in the beta itself. No user-facing rollout in this build yet ---------------------------------------- For people already on the beta channel, 2.26.18.5 does not change daily use. There is nothing new to tap or test in the build, and the widget remains off limits to beta testers. What remains unclear about the widget ------------------------------------- WhatsApp has not shown how the widget will look or where it will sit in the interface. It is also unclear whether the feature will have a specific Android version cutoff, be limited to certain devices, or roll out to only part of the user base at launch. Release timing has not been confirmed, and it is not yet clear whether the widget will stay on Android or eventually arrive on other platforms too. WhatsApp is preparing the status widget for a future release, not shipping it yet. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp sets Android 6 as the new minimum for support Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp sets Android 6 as the new minimum for support Meta Description: WhatsApp will stop supporting Android versions older than Android 6. Phones running Android 6 or newer will remain supported on the latest app version. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-android-app-support-cutoff WhatsApp will stop supporting Android versions older than Android 6 on September 8, 2026, setting a clear operating-system floor for people who want to keep using the app on Android phones. Devices running Android 6 or newer will remain supported. Android 6 becomes the support floor ----------------------------------- The cutoff takes effect on September 8, 2026, when WhatsApp will no longer support Android versions below Android 6. Phones already on Android 6 or anything newer will stay supported, provided they are on the latest supported version of the app. The change is a compatibility cutoff tied to the operating system, not a broader shutdown of WhatsApp service on Android. For users, the practical distinction is simple: the app keeps working on Android 6 and above, while older Android versions fall outside the supported range. Which phones are affected ------------------------- The affected devices are older Android phones still running versions below Android 6. Those users will be the ones most directly exposed to the cutoff once the date arrives. The support change is version-specific, not account-specific. A WhatsApp account itself is not the issue here; the determining factor is the Android version on the phone. If a device is on Android 6 or newer, it remains in the supported group as long as the app is kept on a compatible release. People with newer Android builds should not see the same support problem, even though the app’s minimum system requirement is moving up. What remains unclear -------------------- The exact models affected first are not specified beyond the Android version cutoff. Different phones can stay on older software for different reasons, but the available material does not identify a model-by-model impact list. Also unclear is what WhatsApp will show affected users inside the app, or whether it will use a warning, prompt, or other transition message before support ends. No additional platform-specific changes are documented in the available material. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp is testing a Liquid Glass redesign for iPhone chats Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp is testing a Liquid Glass redesign for iPhone chats Meta Description: WhatsApp is testing a translucent Liquid Glass-style interface for its iPhone app, centered on the chat screen and bottom tab bar. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-liquid-glass-ui WhatsApp is testing a translucent Liquid Glass-style interface for its iPhone app, with the change showing up on the chat screen and bottom tab bar. The update is still in beta, so most users cannot get it yet, and WhatsApp has not confirmed a wider rollout. Liquid Glass styling reaches WhatsApp’s iPhone chat view -------------------------------------------------------- The redesign brings a glass-like finish to parts of the chat interface, matching Apple’s iOS 26 visual language. The most visible changes are in the chat screen itself and the bottom tab bar, which take on a more translucent look instead of the flatter styling users are used to. The update also touches chat controls, including the bar used in conversations and the navigation elements at the bottom of the app. On iPhone, that gives the interface a lighter, layered appearance that stands out more clearly against the content behind it. Beta status and rollout scope stay limited ------------------------------------------ For now, the feature remains in beta and is not rolling out broadly across the iPhone app. A wider release is expected in a future update, but the timing has not been confirmed. Open questions on reach and compatibility ----------------------------------------- What is still unclear is how far the redesign will go beyond the chat screen and bottom navigation. The current change centers on those areas, but it is not confirmed whether WhatsApp plans to extend the Liquid Glass treatment across more of the app. Availability is also uncertain across beta groups. It is not clear which testers can access the redesign right now, and there is no firm detail on how the change will behave across different iPhone software versions. It is not yet clear which beta testers can see the redesign or whether WhatsApp will expand it beyond the chat screen and bottom tab bar. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp patches flaw used in zero-click attacks Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp patches flaw used in zero-click attacks Meta Description: WhatsApp has patched CVE-2025-55177 after the flaw was used in zero-click attacks tied to an Apple vulnerability. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-security-vulnerability-patch WhatsApp has patched a security flaw that was used in zero-click attacks tied to a separate Apple vulnerability, and the company has notified affected users individually. The issue, tracked as CVE-2025-55177, was used against specific users rather than the wider WhatsApp user base. WhatsApp closes the hole used in zero-click attacks --------------------------------------------------- The vulnerability involved incomplete authorization of linked device synchronization messages. In practical terms, it could let an unrelated user trigger processing of content from an arbitrary URL on another device. WhatsApp said the weakness was part of an attack chain that combined its own flaw with an Apple operating-system bug. The fix closes that route through WhatsApp. How the flaw worked and who was hit ----------------------------------- The attack did not require the victim to click anything, which is why it falls into the zero-click category. WhatsApp notified affected users one by one after identifying the targeting. The company has not confirmed how many accounts were reached. Available details point to specific targets, not a broad user-facing breach. Open questions on scope and affected devices -------------------------------------------- What remains unclear is whether the attacks were limited to iPhone, Mac, or both. The available material also does not spell out exactly which device or operating-system versions are covered by the patch. WhatsApp has closed the flaw used in the attack chain, but the device scope of the fix is still not fully specified. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp may bring Status updates into the Chats tab Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-09T02:32:13.112Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp may bring Status updates into the Chats tab Meta Description: WhatsApp is working on a redesign that would place Status updates inside the Chats tab rather than keeping them separate. Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-status-redesign-in-chats WhatsApp is working on a Chats tab redesign that would move **Status** updates into the main chat area. The change is not confirmed as a public launch, and the rollout timing remains unclear. Status moves into the Chats tab ------------------------------- The update centers on where **Status** appears inside WhatsApp, with Status content moving into the chats area as part of a redesigned interface. How the new layout changes day-to-day use ----------------------------------------- For people using WhatsApp every day, the clearest change would be visibility. Status would be easier to find from the main chat view, and the Chats screen would carry more of the app’s visible content in one place. The main tab would bring conversations and Status updates together on the same screen, instead of sending users to a separate section of the app. Rollout status and open questions --------------------------------- What remains unclear is how far along the redesign is. It is not confirmed whether this is limited to testing, whether it is heading for a wider release, or whether it is still only being planned. Availability across devices and app versions is also not established. The exact on-screen layout has not been settled publicly, so it is not clear how WhatsApp will present Status inside the Chats tab once the change arrives. For now, the update points to a visible interface shift inside WhatsApp rather than a new feature category, with the main question left open being when, and for whom, it will show up. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp adds prepaid mobile recharges in India Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-07T11:28:14.982Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp adds prepaid mobile recharges in India Meta Description: India users can now recharge prepaid mobile numbers inside WhatsApp, with support for Jio, Airtel and Vi rolling out in phases Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/whatsapp-mobile-recharges-in-india WhatsApp is rolling out prepaid mobile recharges in India, letting users complete top-ups without leaving the app. The feature is live in phases on Android and iOS, and the current rollout covers prepaid customers of Jio, Airtel and Vi. Prepaid recharges move into WhatsApp ------------------------------------ Users in India can start a prepaid mobile recharge from WhatsApp’s **Payments** section, choose from the available plans and finish the transaction in the app. The new option adds a rupee icon on the home screen for access to payments. Access is limited to some users in India for now. Jio, Airtel and Vi are in the first wave ---------------------------------------- The current launch covers prepaid subscribers of Jio, Airtel and Vi. Jio has published terms for a WhatsApp Pay Recharge Program, confirming its participation in the launch. It is not yet clear whether operators beyond Jio, Airtel and Vi are included. PayU handles the checkout layer ------------------------------- WhatsApp has tied the recharge feature to PayU, which handles the payment side of the flow. The setup keeps users inside WhatsApp rather than routing them to a separate app at checkout. Users can select a plan, pay in-app and get a recharge confirmation without switching services. Access still depends on whether the phased rollout has reached a specific account. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. --- ## WhatsApp enters Meta’s latest legal fight over addiction and privacy Author: Samarth Agrawal Published: 2026-05-07T11:28:14.982Z Category: Uncategorized Meta Title: WhatsApp enters Meta's latest legal fight over addiction and privacy Meta Description: WhatsApp sits inside two separate Meta legal disputes, one over private messages in California and another over social media addiction Tags: None URL: https://sheetwa.com/news/meta-whatsapp-mental-health-lawsuit WhatsApp is back in the legal spotlight through two different Meta disputes: a California class action that questions whether private messages stayed private, and a separate social media addiction verdict that found Meta and Google liable over claims their platforms were designed to be addictive. The cases involve different legal theories, but both put fresh scrutiny on Meta’s apps portfolio. WhatsApp’s place in Meta’s courtroom week ----------------------------------------- In one case, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google liable in a social media addiction trial brought over alleged harm to a young user’s mental health. The jury concluded that the companies intentionally built addictive platforms, a finding that adds to the pressure facing Meta across its family of apps, including WhatsApp, which it owns. That verdict involved Meta, with WhatsApp only indirectly relevant through ownership. The legal issues also differ: one case targets alleged addiction harms across Meta’s wider app business, while the other targets WhatsApp message privacy. The other dispute is narrower and centers directly on WhatsApp. It is a class action filed in federal court in California by Brian Y. Shirazi and Nida Samson. That case targets the company’s privacy promise rather than youth harm or addiction, and it raises a different question altogether: whether messages users believed were protected by end-to-end encryption could have been accessed. The California class action over private messages ------------------------------------------------- The WhatsApp lawsuit alleges that private messages could have been accessed by Meta, WhatsApp and third-party contractors despite the app’s encryption claims. It also raises questions about whether contractors could see message content that users expected to remain unreadable to anyone outside the chat. The complaint places Meta, WhatsApp and contractors in the same frame, making the privacy issue central rather than incidental. It does not resolve whether the messages were in fact exposed, but it does challenge the company’s longstanding promise that end-to-end encryption means even WhatsApp cannot read the contents of users’ conversations. The filing also appears to broaden the stakes beyond one-off access claims. By framing the case as a class action, the plaintiffs are seeking to represent a wider group of WhatsApp users, making the dispute about platform trust as well as the handling of private messages. Why the two cases should not be folded together ----------------------------------------------- The addiction verdict and the privacy class action point to separate problems. One is about whether social platforms were intentionally designed to keep young users hooked and damage their mental health. The other is about whether encrypted chats stayed private. That distinction matters because WhatsApp’s role is different in each case. In the addiction trial, WhatsApp enters the picture only as part of Meta’s ownership structure. In the privacy case, WhatsApp is the service at issue. These are two separate legal actions, and this article is covering the privacy case. The privacy case’s procedural status is still unclear, and the extent of any alleged access to messages remains an allegation. What is clear is that WhatsApp now sits at the intersection of two high-stakes legal fights over how Meta’s apps affect users, and how much users can trust what those apps promise. Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only. --- This news is powered by Powerblog. Visit https://getpowerblog.com to know more. ---