This week, WhatsApp focused on privacy and personalization: disappearing messages “once read” arrived on Android, status updates received the long-awaited “Close Friends” list, and sticker reactions, status storage management, and a convenient online contacts list were added to iOS.
Table of Contents
Disappearing Messages After Reading on Android
WhatsApp is bringing a feature to Android that allows messages to disappear after the recipient reads them.
How it will work
A new “After Reading” option is available in the Disappearing Messages settings. Available timers are 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 12 hours. The message disappears from the sender’s device after the selected time has passed, and from the recipient’s device after the same amount of time has passed after they open and read the message. If the message isn’t read, it is deleted after 24 hours.
Why is this necessary
This ensures maximum privacy for sensitive information: the recipient can read the message, but it won’t be saved in the message history. Unlike traditional timers, the countdown only begins after the message has been read, preventing the recipient from missing the message.
Status
This feature is currently available to some Android beta testers. It will gradually be available to more users.
Close Friends and Custom Lists for Statuses
WhatsApp is introducing the ability to create contact lists for selectively posting statuses on iOS and Android, including a predefined “Close Friends” list.
How it will work
A “New” button has been added to the status privacy settings for creating custom lists. Each list can be named and an emoji can be selected. The default “Close Friends” list (emoji ⭐) is also available. When posting a status, you can select any of the lists. Statuses sent this way are marked with a purple ring in your contact list. Recipients see the list’s name and emoji, but cannot see other members. Adding or removing contacts from lists does not send notifications and does not affect existing statuses.
Why is this necessary
This allows you to share different statuses with different audiences (family, colleagues, friends) without having to reset your privacy settings each time. It makes communication more personal and targeted.
Status
This feature is available to some Android and iOS beta testers. This will gradually be available to more users.
Chat List Interface Redesign
WhatsApp is updating its chat list display system, removing visual clutter and grouping rarely used filters.
How it will work
All lists are no longer displayed in a single horizontal row. The user can choose which lists to show in the main panel. The rest are hidden behind the “More” button. You can now even hide the empty “Favorites” list, which was previously forced to be displayed. Hidden lists can be reordered and managed in a separate menu.
Why is this necessary
This simplifies navigation for those with many custom lists. It reduces visual clutter at the top of the “Chats” tab. It makes it easier to access the filters that really matter.
Status
This feature is available to some Android beta testers. It will gradually be available to more users.
Reacting to messages with stickers
WhatsApp is preparing the ability to react to messages not only with emojis, but also with stickers from your personal collection.
How it will work
When you long-press a message in the reactions panel, you’ll be able to select a sticker along with an emoji. The sticker reaction will appear in the upper-left corner of the message, and the emoji in the lower-right corner. A single message can contain both a sticker and an emoji. Both static and animated stickers are supported.
Why is this necessary
This allows you to more accurately express emotions that are difficult to convey with a standard set of emoji. It makes communication more lively, personalized, and fun.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. A release is expected in a future update.
Storage Management for Statuses
WhatsApp is adding the ability to view and delete statuses that are taking up space on your device to the “Storage Management” section.
How it will work
A separate filter for statuses will appear in the “Storage Management” section. When you select a contact, all their statuses are displayed (including expired ones saved locally). You can sort by size and delete unnecessary ones in bulk. Statuses, especially videos, can take up significant space if a user actively posts and receives many updates.
Why is this necessary
This allows you to quickly free up space without deleting important media from your chats. This is especially useful if your device is low on memory—statuses can be cleared first.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. A release is expected in a future update.
Online Contacts List on iOS
WhatsApp is bringing to iOS a feature that displays a list of contacts who are currently online or have been recently online.
How it will work
In the app settings, under your profile photo, a new “Contacts” section will appear. It displays up to four favorite contacts, and below them, a list of recently active contacts. Contacts who are currently online are highlighted with a green dot on their avatar. All other contacts are sorted by their last activity (from most recent to oldest). You can search, sort by name, and add a number via QR code or manually. Users who have hidden their “online” or “last seen” status are not displayed in this section.
Why is this necessary
This allows you to quickly see which contacts are available to chat without having to open each chat individually. It speeds up the process of selecting a contact.
Status
This feature is in development for iOS. A release is expected in a future update.
Conclusion
This week, WhatsApp addressed several important user requests: disappearing messages “once read,” “Close Friends” lists for statuses, and reaction stickers make communication more private and expressive. A redesign of chat lists and storage management for statuses simplifies navigation and frees up device space, while the online contact list on iOS makes choosing a chat partner faster.
At GREEN-API, we’re keeping an eye on the news and will keep you informed about all the significant updates. We’re also constantly working on introducing new features to our service to make your experience even more convenient. Follow our blog to stay informed about new and useful features in WhatsApp!