Whitespace Testing Paid Plan for WhatsApp Focused on Customization and Minor Feature Upgrades

WhatsApp is testing a new subscription tier called WhatsApp Plus, designed to offer users additional personalization options without altering the core messaging experience. The paid plan, currently in beta testing with a limited number of Android users, focuses on cosmetic and organizational enhancements rather than functional upgrades to messaging, voice, or video calls.

According to Meta, the company confirmed the test to TechCrunch, stating that WhatsApp Plus is “designed for users who want more ways to organize and personalize their experience.” Features under testing include the ability to pin up to 20 chats (compared to the free tier’s limit of three), access to custom app icons, new chat themes, exclusive animated sticker packs, and the option to set unique ringtones and notification tones for individual chats or chat lists.

Early builds of the subscription interface show users can apply 18 new theme colors, choose from premium sticker packs with fullscreen overlay animations visible to all recipients, and use alternate app icons ranging from minimal designs to textured effects like glitter, nebula, and fuzzy purple. The plan also allows bulk application of custom themes and notification settings across multiple chat lists, offering convenience for power users who manage numerous conversations.