WhatsApp Introduces a Plus Subscription Centered on Customization
Meta begins testing a paid WhatsApp tier focused on customization, with Android users first to get access.
Meta Platforms has begun rolling out a paid subscription for WhatsApp that adds visual customization and a set of small usability upgrades. The plan, called WhatsApp Plus, is appearing for a limited group of Android users first, with iOS support planned later.
Early builds show a monthly price around €2.49, placing it below the fee for Snapchat’s premium tier. The package centers on stickers, themes, and controls that change how conversations are organized rather than how they function.
What subscribers get on WhatsApp Plus
The Plus tier bundles several features that have been absent from the standard app:
- Exclusive sticker packs, including animated and effect-driven designs
- Custom app themes and alternate icons
- Premium notification sounds and ringtones
- The ability to pin up to 20 chats at the top of the inbox
- Bulk tools that apply settings across multiple chats at once
None of these alter message delivery, encryption, or calling. The emphasis sits on personalization and light workflow improvements.
A person familiar with the rollout described the package this way: “It is about how your chats look and how you manage them, not how messages move.”
Android first, iOS to follow
The current release targets WhatsApp Messenger on Android. Business accounts are excluded for now. An iOS version is in development, though no public timeline has been set.
Limiting the launch allows Meta to measure uptake and refine pricing before a broader release. The company has taken a similar approach with recent paid features on its other platforms.
A narrower start than rivals
Paid messaging tiers already exist, with Telegram Premium offering a broader set of tools that extend beyond appearance and organization. Its subscription includes larger file uploads, faster downloads, expanded limits across chats and channels, and a layer of AI-assisted features such as translation and message summaries.
Against that backdrop, WhatsApp Plus enters the market with a tighter scope focused on customization. The difference suggests Meta is introducing subscriptions in stages, beginning with low-friction features before considering deeper changes to how the app is used.
What comes next
The limited rollout suggests pricing, feature mix, and regional availability could change before a wider launch. Uptake on Android will likely shape how quickly iOS support arrives and whether additional features move behind the Plus tier.
For now, WhatsApp Plus positions itself as an optional upgrade for users who want more control over how the app looks and how conversations are arranged, rather than a reworking of the messaging experience itself.
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