Observed Signal · Oct 1, 2026 · Technical Release · Source: t3n · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Positive
WhatsApp Plus Tests Focus Schedules for Subscribers
WhatsApp is developing a new 'Focus Schedules' feature for its premium Plus subscription, aiming to help users automatically mute or hide chats during specified time periods. The feature was discovered in the WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.26.39.9 by WABetaInfo. It will allow users to set time windows for different chat lists, such as work chats from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, and personal chats only during evenings or weekends. Outside these windows, chats will be automatically muted or hidden from the chat overview. The feature appears to be reserved for WhatsApp Plus subscribers, which is part of Meta One and costs €2.49 per month. It is still in development and not yet available to beta testers. Additionally, WhatsApp may move Channels into the primary Chats tab, blurring the line between personal and commercial content.
Minor consumer feature update for WhatsApp Plus; no direct impact on the advertising industry.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- WhatsApp is developing 'Focus Schedules' to auto-mute or hide chats during set time periods, available for WhatsApp Plus subscribers.
- The feature was discovered in WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.26.39.9 by WABetaInfo.
- WhatsApp Plus costs €2.49 per month and is part of the Meta One subscription bundle.
- The feature is still in development and not yet available to beta testers.
- WhatsApp also plans to move Channels into the primary Chats tab, according to WABetaInfo.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“Whatsapp arbeitet an einem weiteren Ausbau der Funktionen für seinen kostenpflichtigen Plus-Tarif....”
“Hinter den Kulissen arbeitet Betreiber Meta aber offenbar an neuen Funktionen, um das Abo attraktiver zu machen....”
“The feature was discovered by the publisher WABetaInfo in the WhatsApp Beta for Android....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
WhatsApp Tests Cosmetic 'WhatsApp Plus' Subscription
WhatsApp is testing an optional paid tier called "WhatsApp Plus" that offers customization and organizational features — custom icons, themes, ringtones, expanded pinned chats and custom lists — with most features described as cosmetic rather than functional. The test, confirmed by Meta and spotted by users including Matt Navarra, is limited to small markets and a subset of WhatsApp’s 3 billion-plus users. WABetaInfo reported possible pricing of €2.49/month in Europe and 229 PKR (~$0.82) in Pakistan and a one-month free trial. The company did not mention ad removal for Status. Meta said WhatsApp revenue crossed a $2 billion annualized run-rate in Q4 2025 and cited strong paid-messaging growth in recent results.
WhatsApp Plus: Paid personalization subscription launched
WhatsApp is testing a paid "Plus" subscription that offers extended personalization options for users. The Android-only test (reported by WABetaInfo) includes 18 new UI color accents applied app-wide, 14 new app icons, the ability to pin up to 20 chats, ten exclusive ringtones, and exclusive sticker packs including animated full-screen premium stickers visible to recipients without a subscription. In Europe the current monthly price is €2.49; billing is monthly and auto-renews via Google Play. The rollout is limited to a small Android test group with iOS planned later. Core WhatsApp features remain free; Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014 and the company may expand the Plus tier and offer trial periods before wider release.
WhatsApp launches paid Plus subscription
WhatsApp has begun testing a paid "Plus" subscription that adds UI personalization and premium features for Android users. Priced at €2.49 per month in Europe during the test, the Plus tier offers 18 interface color options, 14 alternative app icons, the ability to pin up to 20 chats, ten exclusive ringtones, and access to exclusive sticker packs including animated full‑screen stickers visible to recipients without a subscription. The rollout is currently limited to a small Android test group; an iOS version is planned later. Billing is monthly and auto‑renewed via Google Play. WhatsApp says core functions remain free and the company may expand the Plus features or trial period before wider release.
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