WhatsApp rolls out major enhancements to status updates

WhatsApp is set to significantly upgrade its Status feature, introducing four new tools that aim to make the sharing experience more creative, interactive, and personalized. The Meta-owned messaging platform announced that these features will be available to all users on Android and iOS devices over the coming months, further closing the gap between WhatsApp and its sister apps, Instagram and Facebook.

One of the key additions is the Layout feature, which allows users to create a custom photo collage directly within the Status interface. Up to six images can be selected and arranged in a grid format, providing greater flexibility in visual storytelling. This feature caters to users who want to share multiple moments or perspectives in a single post without overwhelming their contacts with a stream of individual photos.

Alongside Layout comes the Photo Stickers tool, which turns any photo into a custom sticker. These stickers can then be added to a Status update, offering a more expressive and playful way to share content. Users will have the ability to edit, resize, and move these stickers in real time as they create their post, making the process feel intuitive and customizable.

WhatsApp is also introducing an "Add Yours" sticker, a popular interactive format first seen on Instagram Stories. This feature enables users to post an image or message with a prompt, inviting their friends to respond with their own interpretation or content. Each participant can share their own Status in response, creating a chain of engagement around a shared topic or idea. It's a clear push to drive more community-driven interaction within the app’s Status space.

In terms of audio content, WhatsApp is building upon its recently added music support for photo and video status updates. The new enhancement focuses on enabling users to share songs as standalone Status updates. Alternatively, they can convert a specific song into a sticker and integrate it with another status post. This brings WhatsApp closer to the rich multimedia capabilities of Facebook and Instagram, offering more emotional and personalized ways to communicate.

These additions underscore WhatsApp’s broader strategy to evolve beyond simple text messaging. With Status becoming increasingly similar to Instagram’s Stories feature — including disappearing content after 24 hours and creative tools — WhatsApp aims to keep its user base engaged within its ecosystem, rather than losing attention to other social platforms.

The update comes shortly after WhatsApp released its native iPad app, expanding accessibility across more devices. Additionally, recent developments like the Advanced Chat Privacy feature demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to security and user control, ensuring that users can share content with confidence.