This week, WhatsApp focused on improving navigation, security, and accessibility: new chat filters on iOS, the availability of multiple accounts for all users, the announcement of the end of support for older iOS versions, the introduction of a status archive, the long-awaited message menu on Android, and the One platform.
Table of Contents
New Chat Filters on iOS
WhatsApp is working on new preset filters for the chat list, which will replace separate sections for archived, blocked, and third-party chats.
How it will work
Instead of separate sections at the top of the chat list, WhatsApp will introduce filters for archived, third-party, and blocked chats. The filters will be located at the top of the «Chats» tab, along with other lists. Accessing blocked chats will require authentication (Touch ID, Face ID, or device passcode).
Why is it needed
This simplifies navigation and makes the interface more organized. It removes visual clutter at the top of chats, especially for users with many sections.
Status
This feature is in development for iOS. A release is expected in a future update.
Multiple Accounts on iOS
WhatsApp is officially launching the ability to manage two accounts on a single device for all iOS users.
How it will work
An «Add Account» option has been added to the app settings. The user enters a second phone number or scans a QR code to set up a linked device. Switching between accounts is done by tapping and holding the «You» tab or through the «Account» section in Settings. Each account has its own chat history, notification settings, and privacy settings. Up to two accounts are supported simultaneously. When deleting an account from a device, a backup can be made, and a passkey option is available for quick login.
Why is it needed
This allows you to separate personal and work messages on one device without having to install WhatsApp Business or use a second phone.
Status
This feature is available to all iOS users in the App Store version.
End of support for iOS versions older than 15.5
WhatsApp announced that starting November 30, 2026, the app will no longer work on devices running iOS versions earlier than 15.5.
How it will work
Users running iOS 15.0–15.4 will be shown a notification asking them to update their operating system. After November 30, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer run on these versions. To continue using it, you must update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS (available on all devices supporting iOS 15). This change affects both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business.
Why is it needed
Supporting older versions of iOS slows down development and limits the implementation of new features. New APIs in the latest versions of iOS allow for the creation of more stable and modern features.
Status
This change has been officially announced. It takes effect on November 30, 2026.
Status Archive
WhatsApp is launching a beta feature that automatically saves expired statuses in a private archive on the device.
How it will work
A «Status Archive» option has been added to the «Storage & Data» settings. Once enabled, all statuses that have reached the 24-hour limit are automatically saved to the archive. The archive can be accessed through the «Updates» tab (menu item) or through the «Manage Storage» section with a status filter. The archive is visible only to the account owner. The user can delete individual statuses or disable the feature at any time.
Why is it needed
This allows you to save important statuses that disappear after 24 hours. This is convenient for reusing content or for a personal archive without having to save each status manually.
Status
This feature is currently available to some Android beta testers. It will gradually be available to more users.
New context menu for messages on Android
WhatsApp is finally releasing the long-awaited redesigned message menu, which appears next to the selected message.
How it will work
Long-pressing a message reveals a floating menu right next to it. Basic actions (reply, forward, copy, edit) are now at the first level. Less common actions are grouped in the «More» section. The menu replaces the old bar at the top of the screen and works the same in both private and group chats.
Why is it needed
This simplifies access to message actions—no need to look up. It unifies the experience with the iOS version, making it convenient for users switching between platforms.
Status
This feature is currently available to some Android beta testers. It will gradually be available to more users.
One — a single subscription for all services
WhatsApp is integrating the One subscription, which combines premium features from all its ecosystem products into a single plan.
How it will work
Two One plans will appear in the «Subscriptions» section of Settings:
- One Plus (€6.99/month) — includes WhatsApp Plus, expanded AI access, advanced reasoning, and enhanced image and video generation capabilities;
- One Premium (€20.99/month) — includes everything in Plus, but with increased limits on complex queries, content generation, and AI use. Both plans may offer a free trial month. WhatsApp Plus remains available separately for €2.49/month for those who only need personalized messaging.
Why is it needed
This simplifies subscription management by offering one plan instead of several. It allows users to get more out of their AI capabilities and also gives access to all premium ecosystem features in a single package.
Status
This feature is in development for Android. Release is expected in a future update.
Conclusion
This week, WhatsApp delighted us with long-awaited updates: multiple accounts are finally available to all iOS users, and the context menu for messages has arrived on Android after three years of development. Status archives and new chat filters continue to improve content organization, and One paves the way for a unified ecosystem. Support for iOS 15.5+, starting November 30th, is an important reminder to keep your devices up to date.
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!