WhatsApp Tests Paid Plus Subscription for iOS Users

Meta’s instant messaging platform, WhatsApp, is expanding its service model by testing a paid subscription plan called “WhatsApp Plus” for a select group of iPhone users. This move is part of the company’s strategy to offer optional, additional features focused on customization without altering the core app experience. According to WABetaInfo, the new service is being gradually tested on iOS through a specific app version, with plans to widen availability in the coming weeks.

Gradual Rollout on iOS

WhatsApp has started making “WhatsApp Plus” available to a limited number of iOS users through the latest update on the App Store. The new subscription allows users to experience extra features not found in the free version, while all core messaging functions remain unchanged. The company emphasizes that this version is primarily aimed at regular WhatsApp users, not WhatsApp Business, reflecting its focus on personal use.

The service is entirely optional and does not impact privacy or the basic user experience. Non-subscribers will continue to use messaging, calls, and standard features without any restrictions. The subscription only adds customization tools and visual and functional enhancements for users who want more control over the app’s interface and experience.

Customization and Visual Identity

The subscription grants users a set of additional tools, most notably a sticker store with “Premium” packs featuring animated effects. Users can choose which packs to download or use. The system also allows interface customization by selecting from up to 18 different colors, including shades like blue, purple, green, red, and gold, enabling a complete change of the app’s overall appearance.

“WhatsApp Plus” also offers 14 different app icon designs, ranging from classic styles to modern, ornate patterns, including glossy effects and two-tone designs. This approach aims to give users more freedom to express their visual preferences instead of sticking with the app’s traditional look.

Enhanced Chat Management

In the free version, WhatsApp allows pinning only three chats at the top of the chat list. The new subscription raises this limit to 20 chats. This allows users to keep a larger number of important conversations easily accessible, especially for those who rely on the app for heavy daily communication or managing multiple groups.

The subscription also adds new capabilities for managing chat lists. Users can organize conversations into dedicated groups, such as work or family, with the ability to apply unified settings to each group. This includes changing themes, standardizing notification tones, and even customizing a unified ringtone for calls within each group, enhancing the organizational experience within the app.

Exclusive Ringtone Options

“WhatsApp Plus” introduces a new set of call ringtones, featuring 10 modern sounds like Flutter, Tempo, Ripple, and Flux. This addition aims to improve the ability to distinguish between incoming WhatsApp calls and those from other apps through more modern and varied sounds.

Subscription Model and Future Plans

The subscription operates on a monthly auto-renewal system unless the user cancels at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Subscription management is handled directly through the App Store. Reports indicate that some users may receive a free trial period lasting a month or a week, depending on the region or account. Currently, the service is available only to a limited number of iOS users, with plans for a gradual expansion in the coming period. WhatsApp is also developing more paid features to add to the same subscription in the future, reflecting the company’s desire to build an optional subscription model that adds a layer of customization without affecting the app’s basic use.