I’ve been tracking WhatsApp’s “secret” projects for years, and we just hit a massive milestone. For the first time in its history, the world’s most popular messaging app is officially testing a paid tier.
I’m talking about WhatsApp Plus—a premium, optional subscription that’s finally rolling out to a limited group of beta testers on Android. If you’ve ever felt that the standard green UI was a bit too “basic,” or you’re tired of the 3-chat pin limit, this is the update you’ve been waiting for.
The Big Customization Overhaul
I noticed that the most requested feature for WhatsApp has always been “more colors,” and WhatsApp Plus is delivering exactly that. Subscribing unlocks a level of personalization we’ve never seen in the official app.
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18 New Themes: Say goodbye to the mandatory green. You can now choose from Vibrant Blue, Royal Purple, Charcoal Grey, and even Sunset Orange. Once you pick a color, it flips the entire accent of the app.
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14 Custom App Icons: You can actually change how the app looks on your home screen. Options range from a Cosmic Nebula theme to a weirdly cool “Purple Fuzzy” texture.
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Premium Ringtones: You get access to 10 exclusive ringtones that aren’t available to free users, making it much easier to know it’s a WhatsApp call without looking at your phone.
The “Super User” Toolkit
If you’re like me and your chat list is a chaotic mess of work and family, the “Plus” features are actually quite practical.
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Pin Up to 20 Chats: This is a game-changer. The free version locks you at 3 pins, but Plus lets you keep 20 conversations at the very top.
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Bulk Settings for Lists: You can now apply themes, notification tones, and ringtones to an entire “Chat List” at once. If you add a new person to that list, they automatically inherit those settings.
Interactive Premium Stickers
WhatsApp is also introducing a bit of “flair” to your chats. Subscribers get access to Exclusive Sticker Packs that feature full-screen overlay animations.
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The “Wow” Factor: When you send a premium sticker, it doesn’t just sit there—an animation expands across the entire chat screen.
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The Catch: Even if your friend hasn’t paid for WhatsApp Plus, they’ll still see your flashy animation when you send it to them.
Pricing & The “No-Fear” Policy
I know what you’re thinking: “Is WhatsApp going to charge me for basic messaging now?” The short answer is no.
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Core Features are Free: End-to-end encryption, voice calls, and basic messaging will always be free.
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The Cost: In Europe, it’s testing at €2.49/month. In India, early signs suggest a very low-cost model, while some regions are seeing a trial price of around PKR 229.
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Business Users: Sorry, entrepreneurs—WhatsApp Plus is currently only for WhatsApp Messenger (Personal), not the Business app.
The Analytic Touch: This is a brilliant move by Meta to monetize without cluttering the app with ads. By keeping the “Plus” features purely cosmetic or productivity-focused, they aren’t alienating the billion users who just want a simple chat app. It’s the “Discord Nitro” approach, and it works.
Right now, this is only live for a lucky few on Android (Beta 2.26.4.8). iOS support is planned, but it’s likely a few months away.
Stay tuned—I’ll be doing a full hands-on review once it rolls out more widely! Would you pay the price of a coffee every month to turn your WhatsApp purple? Let me know!
