Recent tech reports reveal that WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature called “Close Friends,” which allows users to share status updates with a selected group of trusted contacts, inspired by a similar feature on Instagram.

According to WABetaInfo, a site specialized in tracking WhatsApp updates, the new feature appeared in the iOS beta version via the TestFlight platform. It enables users to create a “Close Friends” list only once and then use it continuously to decide who can view their status updates.

Visually, updates shared with this list will be marked by a differently colored ring around the status image, helping recipients distinguish content directed to a narrow circle of friends. Additionally, the feature will not send any notifications to contacts when they are added or removed from the “Close Friends” list, providing users with more privacy and control over their app experience.

The WhatsApp status feature, similar to Instagram Stories, is one of the most widely used features globally, with Meta’s data indicating that over 1.5 billion users interact with it daily.

Currently, WhatsApp offers three main privacy settings for status sharing: sharing with all contacts, excluding some individuals, or manually selecting a custom group. The new “Close Friends” feature is expected to simplify these options and enhance flexibility and ease of privacy management.

This move is part of Meta’s efforts to integrate experiences across its apps, having previously implemented the feature on Instagram and now testing it on WhatsApp, indicating a strategic direction to provide more flexible and seamless privacy tools across platforms.