Status takes center stage: New WhatsApp beta brings major interface redesign

ⓘ EyestetixStudio/Pixabay +WABetaInfo WhatsApp may soon give status updates a more prominent position within the app. WhatsApp is testing a major redesign in its latest Android beta. In the future, status updates may appear directly within the “Chats” tab, significantly increasing their visibility. This change could affect the app’s overall clarity and shift its focus further toward a social media experience rather than a purely messaging service. Marius Müller (translated by Marius Müller), Published 02/17/2026 🇩🇪 As reported by WABetaInfo on February 14, 2026, status updates may soon move beyond the separate “Updates” tab and appear directly within the “Chats” section. Currently, users are notified of a new status by a green ring around a contact’s profile picture. To view the update, they can tap the profile picture or switch to the “Updates” tab, where all recent updates are displayed in one place. In WhatsApp beta 2.26.6.9, contacts with a recent status update appear at the top of the “Chats” tab – almost as if they had sent a new message. Their profile pictures remain highlighted. As users scroll through their conversations, a swipeable status bar comes into view. Status updates from muted contacts, however, are not shown in this
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