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Statuses will be visible directly from the chat screen! WhatsApp is rolling out a stunning update that will increase user interest.

Siddhi Jain February 17, 2026 08:15 PM

WhatsApp Update: WhatsApp, one of the world's most popular messaging platforms, is once again preparing for new changes. Millions of people use this app for everything from office work to personal conversations. Now the company is working to make the status feature more convenient and attractive. According to recent reports, testing of a new feature has begun in Android beta version 2.26.6.9 that could change the way statuses are viewed.

What's going to change?

Currently, users have to go to a separate tab to view statuses. However, in the new layout being tested, status updates will appear directly above the chat screen. This means there will be no need to switch to a separate tab each time to view statuses. This change will be especially beneficial for those who check their status multiple times a day. More convenience with fewer steps is the main idea behind this update.

How will this new feature work?

In the new beta version, when a user opens the Chat tab, status updates from frequently interacting contacts will appear at the top. A horizontal bar below this will also show the latest statuses from other users.

Users will be able to swipe through these updates just as they do in the Status section. If you have muted or hidden a contact's status, their update will not appear here. This means your privacy settings will remain the same.

Testing is ongoing

It's important to note that this feature isn't fully ready yet. Currently, it's only available to Android beta users on a specific version. Most regular users won't notice any changes yet.

The company may make changes to the design and layout during testing. If everything goes well, it could be rolled out to all users in the near future.

What will be the benefit?

This update aims to make the status viewing process faster and more intuitive. If this feature is rolled out to everyone, users will receive instant updates from the chat screen. This could make the app experience smoother and more convenient than before.