Whatsapp's revamped status feature takes a page from instagram

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a major overhaul of its status feature, aiming to make it more accessible and user-friendly. The latest beta version for Android has revealed that Meta is developing a function that allows users to view status updates directly at the top of the chat tab.

Status updates to appear prominently at the top of the chat list

Currently, status updates can be accessed from the updates section or by tapping the profile icon within the chat tab. However, this often requires scrolling through the conversation list to find them. The new design aims to simplify the process by displaying the latest three status updates from contacts at the top of the interface when the app is launched.

Swiping down on the chat tab would then reveal a horizontal row showcasing all available status updates, mirroring the functionality of Instagram's stories feature. This layout would sit just above the conversation list, making it easier to quickly glance at status updates without leaving the main chat interface.

Notably, status updates from muted contacts will not appear directly in this new main interface. Instead, they will be grouped in a separate section that can be accessed independently, avoiding any overlap with visible updates from regular contacts.

This revamped status feature is designed to make these updates more accessible without requiring users to switch tabs within the app. While still in an early development stage, there's no guarantee the feature will make it to public release, as it's an experimental function that must undergo further testing before potential launch.