WhatsApp Testing ‘Close Friends’ Feature: How It Works and Key Details

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature called ‘Close Friends’, which will allow users to share status updates with a more personal and select audience. This development, spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.23.10.80, is aimed at enhancing privacy and giving users greater control over who can view their updates. Inspired by Instagram’s similar option, this feature allows people to maintain a more intimate social circle while sharing personal moments.

WhatsApp Close Friends Feature: Overview

According to reports from WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a way for users to select a dedicated group of close friends who can view specific status updates. This functionality is designed to create a more private and personalized sharing experience, allowing users to separate general updates from those meant for their closest contacts.

The updates shared with close friends will be visually distinct, appearing in a different color to indicate their exclusivity. This ensures that users can immediately recognize content intended for a limited audience.

How the Close Friends List Works

WhatsApp is expected to introduce a dedicated ‘Close Friends’ list within the app’s privacy settings. Users will be able to:

• Select a specific group of contacts as close friends.

• Choose at the time of posting whether a status is shared with the default audience or only the close friends list.

• Maintain the list completely private, as contacts added or removed from the list will not receive notifications.

This approach gives users flexibility and control, allowing them to share more personal updates without broadcasting them to all contacts.

Status Sharing Rules and Modifications

Once a status is shared with close friends, it will remain visible only to the contacts included at the time of posting. If the close friends list is later updated, the original post will not automatically extend visibility to newly added members. Users would need to delete the original status and re-upload it to include the updated list.

This ensures that close friends’ updates remain exclusive and intimate, encouraging users to share authentic moments with a select audience. The feature is designed to foster a more personal and controlled social interaction on WhatsApp.

Privacy and Security Considerations

Like all WhatsApp status updates, content shared with close friends will follow the platform’s end-to-end encryption protocol. Key points include:

• Status updates disappear after 24 hours.

• Only the chosen recipients can view the content.

• Neither WhatsApp nor Meta has access to these updates.

This maintains the platform’s commitment to user privacy while giving individuals the ability to share selectively without compromising security.

Potential Benefits of the Feature

The Close Friends feature is expected to bring multiple advantages for users:

1. Enhanced Privacy: Users can control who sees personal updates.

2. Authentic Sharing: A limited audience encourages more genuine content.

3. Selective Engagement: Friends in the exclusive list are likely to engage more meaningfully.

4. Better Social Experience: It mirrors Instagram’s successful close friends approach, which has been well-received globally.

For users who frequently post status updates, this addition could be a game-changer in maintaining privacy and personal boundaries on WhatsApp.

Conclusion

WhatsApp’s upcoming Close Friends feature represents a step forward in offering users a more private and intimate social experience. By allowing selective sharing, visual differentiation of status updates, and maintaining end-to-end encryption, the feature balances privacy, control, and engagement.

While the feature is still in the beta testing phase for iOS, it highlights WhatsApp’s continuous focus on user-centric updates, mirroring popular features from other social media platforms while keeping privacy at the forefront. Users can expect a more personalized and secure way to share updates once the feature rolls out publicly.