WhatsApp has officially started rolling out its new paid subscription called “WhatsApp Plus.” The subscription was first spotted in beta testing earlier this year, but reports now confirm that it is reaching a limited number of iPhone users with a wider rollout expected in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp Plus is an optional premium subscription focused mainly on personalization features. Meta is not locking core messaging features behind a paywall. Users will still be able to send messages, make calls, share media, and use end-to-end encryption for free.
The new subscription adds several cosmetic and convenience features for users who want more control over how WhatsApp looks and behaves. One of the biggest additions is support for custom app themes. Subscribers can choose from 18 different accent colors that replace WhatsApp’s traditional green interface.
Users also get access to 14 custom app icons with different styles ranging from minimalist looks to more artistic designs. These changes are only visible to the user and do not affect how WhatsApp appears for others.
WhatsApp Plus also introduces premium sticker packs with animated effects. Some stickers can even display full-screen overlay animations during chats. Interestingly, recipients can still see these effects even if they are not subscribed to WhatsApp Plus.
Another major feature is the increased pinned chat limit. Free WhatsApp users can currently pin only three chats, but WhatsApp Plus subscribers can pin up to 20 chats to keep important conversations easily accessible.
The subscription additionally includes premium ringtones and alert sounds. Users can assign these tones to specific contacts or chat lists. WhatsApp is also allowing subscribers to customize entire chat lists with dedicated themes, wallpapers, fonts, notification sounds, and ringtones.
WhatsApp Plus pricing starts at around €2.49 per month in Europe, although prices may vary depending on the region. Some users may also receive a one-month free trial before paying for the subscription.
Meta says the subscription is completely optional and is designed mainly for users who want additional customization tools and chat management features. The company is currently rolling out the feature gradually, so it may not be available to everyone immediately.
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