WhatsApp launches new feature for sharing status updates with non-contacts

2026-03-02 - 08:34

WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature that allows the users to share their status updates with the individuals who are not in their contact list but with whom they have previously interacted. Wabetainfo reported that the feature is currently being tested in limited regions. It enables the users to share their status updates with people they have chatted with even if those individuals are not saved as contacts in their phone. This update comes as part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy settings and provide more control over who can view their status updates. Previously, WhatsApp status updates were only visible to individuals in a user’s contact list. However, with this new feature, users can now share updates with anyone they’ve recently messaged or called, even if their numbers haven’t been saved as contacts. The new feature expands on a recent update introduced in the beta version of WhatsApp for Android devices, which allowed users to limit their status updates to a specific group of “Close Friends.” While this new feature is still being refined, it also provides more flexibility in sharing status updates with a broader audience. The feature is currently being tested across Android, iOS and the web version of WhatsApp. However, it is unclear when the feature will be available to all users worldwide. WhatsApp introduces feature to view past messages before joining groups