WhatsApp could offer a monthly subscription called WhatsApp Plus which in Europe will amount to 2.49 euros with additional functions not available to free users. The indiscretion comes from WABetaInfoa portal specialized in identifying hidden features in the beta version of WhatsApp. Meta is testing this innovation on a small number of Android users, collecting data to understand how and when to expand the service.
What the WhatsApp Plus subscription includes
Let’s reiterate one aspect. The WhatsApp Plus subscription does not alter the functioning of WhatsApp. Essential tasks, such as texting, voice calling and other basic functions, will remain free and available to everyone. Privacy protection also does not change: end-to-end encryption continues to protect chats, calls, etc. The subscription will be totally optional and those who decide not to subscribe will continue to use WhatsApp exactly as before.
Going into the merits of what the subscription includes, we can tell you that WhatsApp Plus introduces a series of features that mainly revolve around customization. One of the most immediate examples concerns stickers. With your subscription, you get access to exclusive packages that include advanced visual effects. Some stickers, once sent, generate animations that temporarily overlay the conversation screen.
Another fundamental axis is the theme of the interface. Today WhatsApp is highly recognizable for its characteristic green color (especially on Android); with the Plus plan, you will be able to choose between different color palettes that change the entire visual environment of the application. The customization also extends to the app icon. The Plus plan offers aesthetic variations ranging from more elaborate versions (with visual effects and textures of various kinds) to decidedly more minimalist options.
On the chat organization side, a more concrete change emerges: the possibility of pinning up to 20 chats to the top of the list. This means that you will be able to keep more than three conversations always visible at the top of your chat history, regardless of new messages received in other “unpinned” chats. For those who manage a lot of chats, this change can speed up finding the chats with the most relevant contacts. To all this, the Plus plan also adds 10 exclusive ringtones and “bulk” activation of specific settings (such as notification tones and custom graphic themes) to multiple chats.
How the subscription model works
Moving on to the subscription model, this subscription uses auto-renewal logic. This means that the payment is repeated every month, unless manually deactivated by the user at least 24 hours before the subscription expires. The management of the subscription should take place via the Google Play Store (when the subscription also arrives on the iPhone it will presumably be possible to manage it from the App Store) and, according to what was stated by WABetaInfoMeta could «offer some users a free month trial to test out the plan».
It should be underlined that WhatsApp Plus is, for now, limited to a limited audience of Android users and its arrival on WhatsApp Business is not currently expected. It is not yet known when the plan will be rolled out to more WhatsApp accounts.
